HC Deb 17 November 1953 vol 520 cc1546-7
33. Mr. M. MacMillan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board is applying a line-rental basis of charges for certain new consumers in the Western Isles; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

Yes, Sir. This, however, is a matter within the discretion of the Board.

Mr. MacMillan

Is the hon. Gentleman aware, since he is responsible for answering for the Board in this House, that the Board have an arrangement, by the agreement of this House, to carry out certain uneconomic schemes with profits made by the larger economic schemes? Is he further aware that they have selected a small number of isolated hamlets and are trying to balance up certain increasing costs and losses by imposing special terms on a small number of crofter consumers? Will he not approach the Board and ask them if they cannot abandon this rather niggardly imposition on people who have already had to wait for years longer than the rest for their electricity?

Mr. Stewart

As I think the hon. Gentleman knows, the cases here are those where the power is supplied from diesel engines and that, as he also knows, is a much more expensive way of producing it.