I beg to move, in page 47, line 9, to leave out from "in," to "the," in line II, and to insert:

"sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 4 after the words 'resultant sum 'of the words' increased (except in the case of a station to the establishment of which consent was given under Section two of the Electric Lighting Act, 1909, or Section eleven of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, after.'"

The purpose of this Amendment is to make more clear the intentions of this Subsection. First, the Subsection refers to a station established before 5th August, 1943, and the word "established" we regard as being too ambiguous. The Amendment makes it clear that the stations in the case of which an adjustment may be made are all stations except those whose establishment comes after the date in question. The second thing is that the Amendment makes it clear that certain words are to be inserted only in sub-paragraph (a) As provided at present, it might be understood that both sub-paragraphs were affected. This is not so, and we think that this Amendment makes it quite clear.

How will this affect the sum received by the North of Scotland Board ? Is it going to increase it or reduce it?

It does not affect that. This only makes quite clear the intention of the Subsection. As it was, it was not quite clear inasmuch as nobody had determined when a station could be said to have been established—whether it was when the first sod was cut or when generating began, but this makes that point clear.

The hon. Gentleman is optimistic to say it makes it quite clear. It may perhaps be necessary to-expand it in another place, but I do not intend to delay the House on this occasion.