§ 123. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage increase in units of electricity sold in 1945–46 compared with 1938–39; what is the gap between available generating plant capacity and the demand for electric power; when it is intended that the gap shall be bridged; what kilowatt plant had been planned to come into use in 1946; and what was provided.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe increase in electricity units sold in 1945–46 as compared with 1938–39 is 50 per cent. The gap between available generating capacity and maximum demand for electric power is approximately two million kilowatts. As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Pollok (Commander Galbraith) on 29th January as at present estimated the gap will be bridged by 1950–51. The installed capacity of generating plant planned to come into use in 1946 was 990,000 kilowatts. The capacity actually brought into commission in that year including plant planned for earlier years was 305,000 kilowatts.