§ Sir D. NEWTONasked the Minister of Transport what was the estimated cost of effecting the standardisation of frequency of electricity supply to be effected under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1926; what has been the actual cost incurred up to a recent date; which areas have already been dealt with and in which areas the change has yet to be made; what is the estimate of the further cost likely to be (incurred in effecting such standardisation; and what steps he proposes to take for the purpose of reducing the cost?
§ Mr. PYBUSThe figures as to the estimated cost asked for by my hon. Friend are fully set out in the annual report of the Electricity Commissioners for 1930-31. The estimated cost of effecting the standardisation of frequency throughout the country under the Electricity (Supply)
568Wlocal authorities or corporations on goods the produce or manufacture of the other party shall not be other or greater than duties levied in similar circumstances on the like goods of national origin. A number of other countries can claim equality of treatment with the countries mentioned in the list by virtue of Treaty Clauses giving the right to most-favoured-nation treatment.
Act, 1926, is £19,000,000 gross and £16,300,000 net. The amount actually paid by the Central Electricity Board to authorised undertakers in respect of standardisation amounted, I am informed, on 30th April last to about £5,275,000. Standardisation of frequency is being carried out under the Act in Central Scotland, Central England, North-West England and North Wales, North-East England, South-West England and South Wales, and in one generating station in South-East England; and there are a few isolated undertakings which it may be expedient to convert to standard frequency. The cost still to be met is estimated at about £13,725,000 gross. The work is, I understand, being carried out in the most economical way possible by the undertakers concerned in close consultation with the Central Board. The Board only approve and meet expenditure which the undertakers properly in- 569W cur in carrying into effect the standardisation required in pursuance of Section 9 of the Act of 1926.