§ 42. Mr. Hiltonasked the Paymaster-General, in view of the continuing absence of rural electrification in many areas, such as Norfolk, if he will now authorise area boards to undertake further additional work on rural electrification.
§ Sir I. HorobinThe area electricity boards are well ahead of the targets for rural electrification which were announced to the House on 20th January, 1959. Every opportunity is being taken to make further progress in this matter.
§ Mr. HiltonThe area boards may be ahead of their targets, but this is no consolation to the many small business people and small farmers in many rural parts of Norfolk who are still without a supply of electricity, despite the fact that they are reasonably near where electricity is available. Will the Minister do his best to try to expedite the further supply of electricity, because these small business people in particular find competition from others who have electricity very difficult, and it will give much pleasure to them if he can do something to expedite this supply.
§ Sir I. HorobinThe boards, with the assistance and guidance of the Government, have made good progress faster than they expected. The hon. Gentleman must realise that there is a limit to the unremunerative connections which can be undertaken by boards who have statutory obligations and also obligations to their existing consumers.