CEGB on a knife-edge | Socialist Action 1983

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Photo: STEFANO CAGNONI (Report)

Activists picket the power stations, but where is the TUC? nock last week attacked the Campaign Group of MPs for trying to force a debate on strike in the House of Commons. Such a debate, he told a meeting of the PLP, would much a debate as scratching the wounds of the miners.' Kinnock, with Basnett and Willis, are eagerly awaiting the end of the SLIIKe defeat for Arthur Scargill will weaken the lett, even at the price of weakening the whole movement. This is why they are peddling their defeatist line which gives aid and comfort to the Tories and the NCB.

The truth however, claim that the miners cannot win is as false now as it was at the beginning. The Guardian, 18 January, revealed just how close power cuts are, and how little needs to be done to bring them about Using information the CEGB, reported that the CEGB is struggling maintan supplies. there have been voltage reductions since the autumn, some power stations al C nearly Reserve the miners' 'not be SO and hoping that a ment claims is that the deliver on them.

from sources the Guardian Although fuel. The switch to oil and the reduction in maintenance has reduced efficiency generating capacity small.

December peak demand was 42,000 MW, while total capacity was 42,800 While the board made much of its ability to supply 44,600 MW on 8 January, its ability to maintain the supply is on a knife-edge.

The Yorkshire stations in parucular, are in real troubie. strains on the system will be even greater in the next few weeks. The Guardian report shows that governthat supplies can maintained without power cuts could very easily be refuted.

It would require only a small effort by the TUC to step up action in the power stations to force the CEGB into power cuts. Of course, this would mean a change of policy on the part of the general council - from scabbing on congress decisions to attempting to Even at this late stage, it is clear that victory for the miners is possible. The prospects of the Tories winning the TUC, and the craven policy of Kinnock and company. There is only one name for labour "leaders' who pursue such policies. SCABS.

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Socialist Action 25 January 1985