§ 67. Mr. Palmerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he expects the committee appointed under the chairmanship of Sir Edwin Herbert to investigate the organisation of the electricity supply industry to report.
§ 69. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has yet received the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Electricity Supply Indus- 70W try; whether it will be published; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesThe Report will be presented to Parliament tomorrow. The Committee, it will be remembered, was appointed by my predecessor in July, 1954, under the chairmanship of Sir Edwin Herbert, with the following terms of reference
To inquire into the organisation and efficiency of the electricity supply industry in England and Wales in the light of its working under the Electricity Act, 1947, and to, make recommendations.The other members of the Committee were Mr. F. C. Bagnall, Mr. J. W. G. Church, Professor R. S. Edwards, Mr. A. Healey, Mr. Lawrence W. Robson and Mr. Jack Tanner.Their Report, which is unanimous, is the first independent review of a whole nationalised industry by a body appointed by the Government. It recommends a number of changes in the organisation of the industry, some of which, if approved, would require legislation. In coming to decisions regarding the recommendations I shall naturally give careful consideration to the views of the industry and of air concerned. I would like to take this opportunity to convey the appreciation and thanks of the Government to Sir Edwin Herbert and his colleagues who have clearly done their work with the greatest thoroughness and public spirit.