Nationalised Industries (Capital Expenditure)

HC Deb 25 July 1955 vol 544 cc89-90W

Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) how much of the approved capital expenditure was, in fact, spent by the National Coal Board in each year since nationalisation;

(2) how much of the approved capital expenditure was, in fact, spent by the Central Electricity Authority and its predecessor in each year since nationalisation;

(3) how much of the approved capital expenditure was, in fact, spent by area gas boards in each year since nationalisation.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

Generally, the capital expenditure of each industry has approximated to the approved level in each year since nationalisation, but in 1950 and 1951 the National Coal Board, and in 1949 and 1953 the area gas boards, were between 15 per cent. and 25 per cent. below. In some years original approvals have been extended to allow for acceleration of the programme.