§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) why he proposes to make provision for losses incurred by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board under the Electricity (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Bill in relation to supplying electricity to the Invergordon smelter of the British Aluminium Company Limited, and not for similar losses incurred by the CEGB for supplying power to the Holyhead smelter in Anglesey;
(2) what are the accumulated losses incurred by the CEGB in supplying electricity to aluminium smelters in Lyn-mouth, Northumberland, and Holyhead, Anglesey, pursuant to subsisting contracts.
§ Mr. EadieThe Government are making this provision because losses under the aluminium smelter contract, which the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board segregates from its general revenue account, have an overwhelming significance for that board and the general body of its consumers which is not present in the case of CEGB's contract. The effects of CEGB's losses on its Anglesey smelter contract have been absorbed in CEGB's general revenue account and they have, therefore, hitherto been effectively offset directly or indirectly by the payments which the Government have made to the electricity boards in England and Wales under the Statutory Corporations (Financial Provisions) Acts 1974 and 1975. The CEGB has no contract to supply the aluminium smelter at Lynmouth.