§ 21. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he is satisfied with the recent progress of the Scottish Hydro-Electric Board in supplying electricity to farms in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonHaving regard to the difficulties involved, my right hon. Friend considers that, taking the area as a whole, progress so far is satisfactory.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister endorse the glowing tribute to nationalisation paid by Lord Strathclyde, former President of the South Ayrshire Unionist Association, and will he take steps to see that it has a much wider circulation amongst Unionist Associations?
§ Mr. MacphersonI certainly endorse the fact that the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, which is not exactly a nationalised board—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]—because it is for a part of the country only—has done a most admirable piece of work.
§ 22. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many additional farmers in South-West Scotland have received electricity supplies since 1946.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonInformation as to the Board's progress in supplying electricity to farms up to 31st December, 1958, is contained in its Annual Report for 1958. The Board will, I am sure, be glad to give the hon. Member more up-to-date information if he requires it.
§ Mr. HughesWhy is the hon. Gentleman so shy about giving this information? Does he not realise that the overwhelming majority of farmers in South-West Scotland now have a supply of electric light and power, due to the advancement of public ownership on the electricity front?
§ Mr. MacphersonI am well aware of the great progress that has been made by the South of Scotland Electricity Board, under the chairmanship of Sir John Pickles, who started in my own constituency, and did a very good job of work there. I am not shy about this, but would only say that it seems more appropriate that requests for information about the day-to-day activities of the Board should be addressed directly to the Board itself.