§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the number of occasions in each of the years from 1971 to 1980 in which demand for electricity exceeded supply resulting in interruption of supply or significant voltage reduction, excluding the effect of industrial action, and the number of hours on each occasion that the break in supply or voltage reduction lasted.
§ Mr. Mellor:I am advised by the CEGB that between April 1971 and March 1980 there were four occasions when voltage reductions were required—these reductions occured when demand for electricity exceeded the output of plant under normal operating conditions. There was no occasion when disconnection of demand was necessary. Voltage reductions and demand disconnections resulting from industrial action have been excluded. Details of voltage reductions are as follows:
Date Duration Voltage reduction per cent. 9 November 71 54 mins 3 22 November 71 19 mins 3 20 October 72 1 hour 53 mins 3 13 November 79 27 mins 11/2