§ Lieut.-Colonel Macnamaraasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the extent to which cheap electricity is available for the rural districts in Essex; and what additional steps are being taken to improve the supply?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am afraid that there are no detailed statistics on the availability of cheap electricity supplies in the rural areas of Essex. If, however, my hon. and gallant Friend is seeking information about a particular area, I shall be glad to arrange for the Electricity Commissioners to investigate and make a report. As regards the last part of the Question, I would like to point out that the shortage of labour and materials restricts electricity development at the present time to purposes which are essential for the war effort.