§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, in the light of errors of judgment by the Central Electricity Generating Board in constructing three new oil-fired power stations, he will take steps to alter the status of the board and make it more formally accountable to his Department.
§ Mr. Norman LamontNo. Proposals made by the CEGB for the construction of power stations in England and Wales already require my consent under the Electric Lighting Act 1909; and the board is required, under the Electricity Act 1957, to obtain my approval to any programme involving substantial capital outlay.
Decisions to proceed with the construction of the three oil-fired power stations at Grain, Ince B, and Littlebrook D were taken in 1969–73 in the light of the best information available at the time.