§ 1. Mr. MATHERSasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the village of Dechmont, West Lothian, is entirely without gas or electric-lighting facilities; and whether he will take such action as lies within his power to remedy this unsatisfactory state of affairs?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The matter is one between electricity or gas supply undertakers and the inhabitants, and I have no power to take any action. I understand that the electricity supply company for the area requires a guarantee before introducing electric lighting facilities: and that when the question was considered in 1932, in connection with a proposal that the county council should form Dechmont into a special lighting district, the inhabitants did not wish to proceed on account of the cost which would fall upon them.
§ Mr. MATHERSDoes not the Secretary of State think that to refrain from lighting this village, in view of the fact that power is within 100 yards of the place, is wrong; and will he use his influence with those responsible to cause them to light the village, which is on one of the main roads?
§ Sir G. COLLINSAs my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, to or more electors in the area can apply for the formation of the area into a special lighting district. The matter is one for the county council.
§ 2. Mr. MATHERSasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by tenants of holdings on the Houstoun mains scheme, Uphall, West Lothian, owing to the lack of electric light on the holdings; and whether he will take steps to remedy this grievance, in view of the impossibility of the tenants meeting the demand of the Scottish Midlands Supply Company in respect of repayment of the capital cost?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part I am informed that the tenants have not been asked to repay the supply company's capital outlay but that the company require a guarantee of a minimum annual revenue before they will undertake to erect the necessary distributing lines. I have ascertained that the company's terms are considered by the Electricity Commission to be normal and reasonable.
§ Mr. MATHERSDoes the right hon. Gentleman himself consider that terms which call for a return of 15 per cent. per annum on the capital outlay are reasonable?
§ Sir G. COLLINSMy hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The company do not ask for a 15 per cent. return on their capital. The 15 per cent. is to include certain payments for electricity, which reduce the 15 per cent to a normal figure.