§ 89. Mr. Woodburnasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the hardship caused to old age pensioners and others living alone by the rule of the Stirlingshire and other electricity authorities that a minimum consumption must be paid for whether it is used or not; and whether some arrangement can be made for exempting those with incomes coming under the supervision of the Assistance Board and other Government inspectors?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)The object of the minimum rent is to cover the standing charges of the undertakers in installing plant and fittings and maintaining them for use when required. The granting of exemption on the ground of income would be contrary to the provision of the Electricity (Supply) Acts which prohibit undertakers from showing preferential treatment.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the Minister aware that in certain areas old people living in houses where an electricity supply has been installed are still burning candles because they cannot afford to pay this minimum charge, and will he ask his right hon. Friend to look into this matter carefully to see whether it would not be possible to make some commonsense arrangement for people in receipt of low incomes?
§ Captain WaterhouseI do not think it is the task of the Electricity Commissioners to look after the poor. I think Questions on this subject should be addressed to the Minister of Health.