§ 29. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Power, in view of the inadequacy of power supplies during the current spell of wintry weather, if he will set up an independent commission of experts to investigate the causes and report on the expansion of capacity needed.
§ 47. Mr. W. T. Rodgersasked the Minister of Power whether he will draw the attention of the Central Electricity Generating Board to the decision of the National Economic Development Council to set a target of a 4 per cent. per annum increase in national production, with a view to a revision of its estimate of likely demand for electricity in the coming years and agreement on the need for a new power station in County Durham.
§ 48. Mr. Websterasked the Minister of Power what steps he proposes to take to maintain an electricity supply adequate for an annual growth of 4 per cent. in the gross national product, in 210W view of the fact that the National Economic Development Council have now agreed a target growth rate of this value.
51. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Minister of Power if he is satisfied that the current investment programmes of the electricity industry are adequate to meet the increasing demands which are likely over the next few years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WoodThe objective of growth which has been agreed by the National Economic Development Council will be one of the subjects I shall discuss with the Electricity Council and boards in the course of the 1963 Review of their capital development programmes. I would refer the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees to the answer I have given today to the right, hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell), and to the hon. Members for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Pentland) and Jarrow (Mr. Fernyhough).
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Power if he is aware of the dismay caused by the failure of the electricity supply in many parts of Lancashire on Christmas Day; what steps he is taking under Section 60 (1) of the Electricity Act, 1947, to prevent such breakdowns in future; and if, in considering plans for major capital development in the electricity industry he will give priority to installing new plant in smokeless zones where householders are dependent on electricity for heating, cooking and lighting.
§ Mr. WoodSection 60 of the 1947 Electricity Act, retained the 1937 Regulations which had been made under previous legislation and which governed the maintenance of supplies. I do not think it necessary to extend them. The Boards submit each year general programmes of capital development, which allow for expected increases in demand, including that which results from Smoke Control Orders. In recent years, these have been approved in full.