§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Power what is the total generating capacity that the investment programme of the Central Electricity Generating Board has been designed to meet in each of the next five years; and what is the highest annual rate of economic growth for which this has been planned.
§ Mr. FreesonIn regard to the first part of the Question, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden) on 13th February [Vol. 777, c. 382]. The Electricity Council's March, 1968, forecast of electricity demand is the basis of the current generating plant programme and is consistent with an average annual rate of economic growth of 3 to 3¼ per cent.