§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy, if he will list the statutes under which he has power to issue a specific, as distinct from a general, direction.
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§ Mr. John SmithMy right hon. Friend has power under Section 3(2) of the Atomic Energy Authority Act 1954 to give directions which may be general or particular in character. Other statutes within the sphere of responsibility of my right hon. Friend contain, in addition to the power of giving general direction, power of giving directions of a specific character or directions not defined as general or specific, relating to particular matters or in certain circumstances. The latter are contained in Sections 29 and 30 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946; Section 7(8) of the Electricity Act 1947; Sections 8(3), 20(5) and 22(2) of the Electricity Act 1957; Section 4(2) of the Atomic Energy Authority Act 1954; and Sections 4(3), 7(2), 8(1), 10(4), 15 and 16 of the Gas Act 1972.