§ Mr. BARNESasked the Minister of Transport if he will state how many generating stations have been closed in consequence of the operation of the Electricity Supply Act, 1926; and how many remain?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONThe number of generating stations of authorised undertakers in operation at 1st April, 1927, was 459 and at 31st December, 1930, 473. During the period 1st April, 1927, to 31st December, 1930, 86 stations have been shut down. As my hon. Friend will appreciate, the effect of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1926, in regard to the shutting down of stations can only be realised when the schemes for the various areas under the National Scheme have commenced actively to operate. At the present time only one such scheme has come into active operation. The passage of the Act of 1926 has, however, already had the effect of limiting extensions to stations other than those required for the purposes of the National Scheme.