§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether it would be more economic to operate the recently announced electrification programme on the basis of 25 per cent. imports and 75 per cent. National Coal Board coal in British Railways' own power stations;
(2) whether he has authorised British Railways to construct and maintain electricity generating stations for the electrification programme pursuant to section 1(b) of the Railways (Electrical Powers) Act 1903.
§ Mr. FowlerThe British Railways Board draws its electricity wholly from public supplies and has made no request for authority to construct and maintain its own power stations. Decisions on electricity supplies are a matter for the board's commercial judgment.