HC Deb 18 April 1939 vol 346 c173
61. Mr. H. G. Williams

asked the Minister of Transport the number of consumers of electricity in this country at the latest date for which the figures are available; and what increase this represents over the previous five years?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Captain Austin Hudson)

The official returns of the Electricity Commissioners show that at the end of the year 1937–38 there were 9,358,000 consumers, as compared with 5,336,000 at the end of the year 1932–33, representing an increase in the five years of over 4,000,000 consumers or approximately 75 per cent.

Mr. Ridley

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether this expansion has occurred mainly under private ownership, which the hon. Member loves, or under public ownership, which he so ferociously attacks whenever he gets the opportunity?

Captain Hudson

I think it is a very satisfactory increase.

Mr. J. Morgan

Is the proportion of increase in the rural areas as high as 75 per cent.?

Captain Hudson

I must ask the hon. Member to put that question down.