§ Dr. Edmund Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the implications for the electricity supply industry, in terms of generating capacity and employment opportunities, of current trends in national demand for electricity; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EadieA joint statement issued by the electricity supply industry's National Joint Advisory Council on 16th October gave details of a programme of closures and partial shut-down of a number of older power stations, employing at 31st July 1975 a total of 4,952 men. Some 3,419 MW of generating capacity are affected. The unions have made it clear that they will not accept any compulsory redundancies. The aim is to deal with staff problems through such measures as redeployment to other sectors of the industry—with retraining where necessary—through natural wastage and through early retirement in the case of older workers.
My right hon. Friend shortly intends to discuss the general closure position with both management and unions.