asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, during periods of unavoidable load shedding, arrangements will be made to continue an uninterrupted supply of electricity to hospitals.

Electricity undertakings are instructed to avoid as far as possible cutting of supplies without telephone warning to hospitals. Though it is not possible to guarantee that in no circumstances will supplies to hospitals ever be interrupted, I have not heard of any cases where the electricity undertaker has not been able to make satisfactory arrangements with the hospitals in their area. If my hon. Friend has heard of any such case, I will be glad to investigate it.

Will my right hon. Friend look into the question of using idle generators? As an example, is he aware that, at Taunton, there are two idle generators, and that notice was sent to the Central Electricity Board on nth November and yet no action was taken, although the use of these generators would have avoided load shedding in that area?

I am surprised to learn that there are any idle generators that could be made available for immediate use, and, if the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars, I will certainly have them examined.