§ Mr. HARDIEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether all the Government plant at Gretna has been sold; and whether any special arrangement has been made to keep the electrical generating plant for the service of the district?
Mr. GUINNESSThe bulk of the Government plant at Gretna has been sold, and arrangements are being made to sell the comparatively small quantity of plant now remaining. Protracted negotiations have taken place for the sale of the electrical generating plant as a going concern. Unless these negotiations are brought to a successful conclusion at an early date, I regret that it will be necessary for the Government to cease operating the plant, which involves, under existing conditions, a considerable loss, and to sell it for removal.