§ 24. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the dissatisfaction among electricity consumers in the Clyde area at the higher charges of the Clyde Valley Electrical Power Company in comparison with the charges of the Glasgow municipal electricity services; will he order a public inquiry with a view to having the company's charges reduced to the same level as the municipal service; and, further, in view of the Glasgow housing committee's official Report, showing that householders supplied by the company have to pay 27s. to almost £3 per annum more than householders on the municipal 1685 service for the same supply, will he consider takings steps to bring the whole of the electricity supply in the area under municipal control?
Mr. STANLEYI have recently received a petition from certain residents in Springboig stating that the charges made by the Clyde Valley Electrical Power Company in that district are greater than those obtaining in the area of supply of the Glasgow Corporation, and asking that the former charges should be arranged on a more equitable basis. The petition is receiving consideration.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODMay I have a reply to the last part of the question, and will the Minister consider taking steps to bring the whole of the electricity supply in the area under municipal control?
Mr. STANLEYI only received this petition on 8th June, and I am certainly not in a position to give a definite reply as to what action I propose to take on it.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIf I put a question down for a later date, will the hon. Gentleman be in a position to give a reply on this matter, because 5,000 or 6,000 people are very anxious to come under municipal control in Glasgow?
Mr. STANLEYWithout attempting to give a reply to the hon. Gentleman's question at this moment, I can assure him that there will be no unavoidable delay.