§ 5. Mr. Thorpeasked the Minister of Power whether he will now seek to amend Section 13 of the Electricity Act, 1957, so as to accelerate electrification in the rural areas.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Mr. J. C. George)No, Sir. The allocation of financial responsibility to individual Boards under Section 13 of the 1957 Act remains the policy of the Government.
§ Mr. ThorpeAlthough it may remain the policy of the Government, is the hon. Member aware that it has resulted in the South-West in the fact that not only 60 per cent. of rural dwellings have no mains connection, but that in Barnstaple today only 45 per cent. of the total farms have a mains connection? Does he not think that in this day and age it is an outrage that there are still villages and hamlets—in 1961—without electricity or drainage, or water or any other facility? Does he not think that there is a case for making a direction under Section 8 of the Act that there will be within a certain time 95 per cent. of rural electrification in this country? Is he aware that America and most other European countries have been able to carry out rural electrification 6 but that we are steadily lagging behind?
§ Mr. GeorgeProgress in rural electrification in the South-West has been relatively greater than in other areas in England and Wales. The percentage of farms connected is far higher than 60: it is 71 per cent. The boards have a dual responsibility, first, to further rural electrification, and secondly, at the same time to make ends meet one year with another. It is up to the boards in their financial wisdom to decide how far and how swiftly they can carry out rural electrification.
§ Mr. ThorpeIs the hon. Member aware that that is precisely what Section 13 is about? Is he aware that the boards can carry out such rural electrification only with subsidies out of urban profits, and that because the South-West is substantially rural there are few urban profits, which is why the rural areas are at the bottom of the queue? Does he not think, therefore, that this Section 13 should be amended?
§ Mr. GeorgeThe 1957 Act aimed to foster each board's independence and a sense of financial responsibility. This still remains the Government's policy.