asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the facts (a) that the Electricity Supply Board estimated on 21st January, 1948, that capital expenditure on rural electrification in the seven years ending 31st April, 1952, would amount to £8,000,000, increased subsequently by 10 per cent. because of higher costs, and (b) that the expenditure, actual and estimated, to 31st April, 1951, is £3,433,000 or approximately 40 per cent. of the original programme, he will state (1) the reasons for the board's failure to realise its estimated rate of development, and (2) what measures, if any, are in contemplation to increase the rate of development in future years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Supply Board's Rate of Development.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that the principal reasons why the board has not found it possible to achieve the estimated rate of development have been the shortage of skilled engineers and the difficulty in obtaining the large quantities of materials required.
I am also informed that, though every effort is being made to secure in increasing quantities the materials necessary for the scheme, present indications are that it may not be possible, owing to supply difficulties, to maintain the present rate of progress. So far as skilled engineers are concerned, every effort is being made to improve the position.
Am I to understand from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that not merely has the rate of progress already fallen below the estimate but that it is likely to deteriorate still further in the future?
So far as the Electricity Supply Board can estimate, that is the position; it is possible. The supply position was much easier in the beginning of 1948 than it is at the present time.