HC Deb 05 February 1971 vol 810 c474W
Sir B. Rhys Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the availability of emergency electrical equipment in public hospitals.

Mr. Alison

Most large hospitals have their own standby generating plant to provide emergency supplies of electricity for essential services. Hospital boards are purchasing additional plant, and there are standing arrangements with the Ministry of Defence for the loan of mobile generators in an emergency. These arrangements were put into force in the recent period of work-to-rule in the electricity supply industry, when boards also secured mobile generators from other sources, including the Post Office.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken since the last industrial dispute in electricity supply to ensure that, in any future work to rule, hospitals will not be cut off from their power supply.

Mr. Alison

It is impracticable to ensure that no hospitals will be cut off from power supplies during a period of work-to-rule by electricity supply workers. Hospital boards keep in touch with electricity boards to try to ensure that interruptions are kept to a minimum and that where possible warnings are given. Most large hospitals have their own standby generating sets to provide supplies of electricity for essential services; additional plant is being purchased by hospital boards, and these arrangements are supplemented by mobile generators provided by the Ministry of Defence and other sources, including the Post Office.