§ Mr. Fortasked the Minister of Labour to make a statement about arrangements for spreading the industrial load during the winter of 1955–56.
§ Sir W. MoncktonYes. I have now received the Report of the Electricity Sub-Committee of the Joint Consultative Committee. The sub-committee's recommendations are on similar lines to those of last year. Its principal recommendation is that Regional Boards for Industry should continue to have discretion to make load spreading arrangements in the light of conditions within their areas. Among its other recommendations is one that at the beginning of the winter a general appeal should be made to domestic and small commercial consumers to economise in the use of electricity at winter peak hours.
The sub-committee does not propose to issue further Annual Reports unless unforeseen developments occur but it intends to remain in being ready to act at any time should the need arise.
The Government have accepted the sub-committee's recommendations and the Report will be published today. I should like once more to thank both sides of industry for their continued help and cooperation in this problem.