asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the number of new turbine generators placed in commission in the selected and non-selected power stations during the period 30th June, 1946, to 30th June, 1947.

Eight sets in selected stations.

In view of the pathetic number of generators put into commission in the last 12 months, will my hon. Friend make representations to his right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply to see that there is adequate steel allocation to the firms making turbines, in order that they get the plant?

As I am sure my hon. Friend knows, it takes about three years to build a turbine generator, and therefore we are still catching up on the time lag during the war period. At present sufficient steel is allocated.

Is my hon. Friend aware that 18 months was the period before the war for the construction of a 30,000 kilowatt turbine generator, and that a power station was built in 18 months on virgin ground during the war? Will he look into the suggestion that turbine generating plants are being held up because the allocation of steel is not being made by the Ministry of Supply?

I think that, again, is a matter which could be more properly gone into during the coming Debate.