§ 84. Mr. Normantonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied that the present electricity generating capacity will meet the demand from industry and from the domestic consumer during the coming winter; and what estimate he has made of the increased demand which will be made upon the Central Electricity Generating Board because of the shortage of smokeless fuels for domestic use.
§ 97. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, having regard to inadequate reserve generating capacity to meet sustained cold spells during the forthcoming winter, what steps he is taking to deal with increased electricity demand arising from substitution of electricity for solid smokeless fuels, due to the absence of the latter in many areas of Great Britain and cancellation of Smoke-Control Regulations in certain areas.
§ Sir J. EdenIn average cold spell conditions, and subject to any special difficulties with coal supplies, the Central Electricity Generating Board expects to be able to meet the demand for electricity this winter but with little margin to spare during the peak periods; in severe 319W weather conditions, some reductions in voltage might become necessary. I do not expect any significant increase in peak demand for electricity to follow from shortages of solid smokeless fuels.