§ Mr. SEDDONasked the Minister of Transport whether the work of carrying out the various electricity schemes prepared under the Electricity Supply Act, 1919, could be put in hand at once in order to assist in providing immediate work for the unemployed and also to provide the much-needed electric power for new industries which will also provide increased employment in the future?
§ Mr. NEALThe Electricity Commissioners have provisionally determined electricity districts for the more important industrial parts of England and Wales, but, except in the case of the Lower Severn district,* no scheme has yet been submitted to them, the time fixed for that purpose (save in the case of the Mid-Lancashire district†) not having yet expired. Arrangements are now being made to hold the necessary inquiry in the case of the Lower Severn district, and similar arrangements will be made in other cases as soon as schemes are submitted. Meanwhile a large number of loans for electricity works has been sanctioned by the Commissioners, and these works are being actively prosecuted in different parts of the country. The Commissioners are 1403W fully alive to the important considerations referred to by the hon. Member.
*Certain parts of the counties of Gloucester, Hereford, Wilts, Somerset, Worcester, and Monmouth.
…Blackburn, Burnley, Preston, Accrington, Bacup, and district.