HC Deb 30 January 1968 vol 757 cc250-4W
43. Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Power in what years he plans to reintroduce in the investment programmes of the National Coal Board, the Central Electricity Generating Board, the gas industry and the electricity authorities, any of the capital projects that have had to be cut or deleted due to devaluation or the Government's policy for public expenditure in 1967 to 1970.

Mr. Lane

asked the Minister of Power (1) what are the plans for reinstating the major capital projects of the National Coal Board deferred because of the cuts in its programme for 1968–69 and 1969–70; and what will be the approximate length of deferment in each case;

(2) what are the plans for reinstating the major capital projects of the Gas Council deferred because of the cuts in its programme for 1968–69 and 1969–70; and what will be the approximate length of deferment in each case.

Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Power (1) what his plans are for reinstating the major capital projects of the Central Electricity Generating Board deferred as a result of the cuts in the capital expenditure programme for 1968–69 and 1969–70, indicating the length of deferment in each case;

(2) what are his plans for reinstating the major capital projects of the British Steel Corporation deferred as a result of the cuts in the capital expenditure programme for 1968–69 and 1969–70 indicating the length of deferment in each case.

Mr. Marsh

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the hon. Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins) on 17th January.—[Vol. 756, c. 649.]

44. Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Power if he will list the estimated reductions in capital projects covered by the announcement in November for the nationalised coal, gas and electricity and steel industries; and if he will list individual schemes affected where the amount totals £1,000,000 or more.

45. Mr. Lane

asked the Minister of Power (1) if he will list, stating the cost in each case, those major capital projects which the National Coal Board has had to defer because of the cuts in its planned expenditure during 1968–69 and 1969–70;

(2) if he will list, stating the cost in each case, those major capital projects which the Gas Council has had to defer because of the cuts in its planned expenditure during 1968–69 and 1969–70.

Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Power (1) if he will list, stating the value in each case, those major capital projects which the Central Electricity Generating Board have had to defer as a result of the cuts in their planned expenditure during the years 1968–69 and 1969–70;

(2) if he will now list, stating the value in each case, those major capital projects which the British Steel Corporation have had to defer as a result of the cuts in their planned expenditure during the years 1968–69 and 1969–70.

Mr. Marsh

I have nothing to add to the Answers given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Palmer) on 21st December, and by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the hon. Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins) on 17th January.—[Vol. 756, c.488; c. 649.]

46. Mr. Lane

asked the Minister of Power what consultations he has had with the National Coal Board about the proposed cuts in its capital expenditure programme during 1968–69 and 1969–70.

49. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Power what discussions he has had with the Central Electricity Generating Board about proposed cuts in its capital expenditure programme in 1968–69 and 1969–70.

Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Power what plans are being made by his Department to replan the investment policies of the National Coal Board, the Central Electricity Generating Board, the Gas Boards and the electricity authorities to meet the need for economies in Government spending.

Mr. Lane

asked the Minister of Power what consultations he has had with the Gas Council about the proposed cuts in its capital expenditure programme during 1968–69 and 1969–70.

Mr. J. Osborn

asked the Minister of Power what consultations he has had with the British Steel Corporation about proposed cuts in their capital expenditure programmes in 1968–69 and 1969–70.

Mr. Marsh

The reductions were discussed with the Chairman of the industries.

I review the long-term investment programmes of the nationalised industries annually, and full account will be taken in the coming review of the need for exceptional economies in public expenditure.

Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Power what was the total spent by the coal, gas, and electricity industries, respectively, last year on the purchase of foreign manufactures; and what steps he is taking to ensure that, in the national; interest, they purchase more British-made equipment.

Mr. Freeson

I am informed by the National Coal Board and the Electricity and Gas Councils that the expenditure of their industries last year on the purchase of foreign manufactures was approximately as followsCoal: £3 million (about 1½per cent. of the industry's total purchases of manufactures). Gas: £10 million (4 per cent.). Electricity: Negligible.

I am sure that the industries may be relied upon to buy British goods when they are competitive with, and as suitable as, the best foreign products.

Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction to the boards of the nationalised industries for which he is responsible that they should make a cut in their administrative and clerical staff during 1967–68.

Mr. Marsh

The nationalised industries are already aware of the need for strict economy in staffing as in other fields.

Mr. Lane

asked the Minister of Power (1) if he will state the capital expenditure now expected to be incurred by the National Coal Board in 1968–69 and 1969–70, respectively, listing the major new projects, with their estimated cost, to be started in each year;

(2) if he will state the capital expenditure now expected to be incurred by the Gas Council in 1968–69 and 1969–70, respectively, listing the major new projects, with their estimated cost, to be started in each year.

Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Power (1) if he will state the estimated cost of the expenditure on capital projects by the Central Electricity Generating Board row scheduled for 1968–69 and 1969–70, listing the major new capital projects to be started in each year, and the estimated cost of each, respectively;

(2) if he will state the estimated costs of expenditure on capital projects by the British Steel Corporation now scheduled for 1968–69 and 1969–70, listing the major new capital projects to be started in each year and the estimated cost of each, respectively.

Mr. Marsh

The capital expenditure of the N.C.B. in 1968–69 is expected to be £83 million; the figure for the Gas Council and Area Gas Boards is £299 million the figure for the Central Electricity Generating Board is £385 million, though further reductions are being considered. The British Steel Corporation expect to submit their programme for 1968–69 very shortly.

The programmes of the fuel and power industries for 1969–70 are the subject of this year's annual investment review. The British Steel Corporation's programme for 1969–70 will be considered early in 1969.

Under the Acts, my approval is related to the industries' general programmes of capital development and not to individual projects.