§ 117 Mr. W. Robertsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether when a planning authority directs that electricity 172W mains must be laid underground and not overhead in order to preserve the amenities of a country district, he will take powers to relieve consumers concerned of the additional cost by spreading this over a wider area.
§ Mr. GaitskellThough planning authorities may make representations, they are not empowered to direct that electricity mains must be laid underground. Under the Electricity Supply Acts the responsibility for giving consent to the erection of overhead electric lines devolves on my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power. The incidence of the cost of supplying electricity to consumers falls to be settled by the electricity supply undertaker in negotiation with the consumers, subject to the provisions of the Electricity Supply Acts I see no reason for special provisions in cases where the method of giving the supplies is influenced by planning considerations.