§ 15. Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board last increased its wayleave payments: what information he has as to how such payments, expressed in percentages, for the various categories, compare with payments made by electricity boards in England and Wales; and what are the total disbursements by the Board in this respect.
§ Mr. RossThe Board last increased its standard wayleave payments in 1959. These cannot be adequately compared in percentage terms with payments in England and Wales, but I shall, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the scales. In the year ended 31st March, 1965, the Board's payments in respect of wayleaves for transmission lines amounted to £4,500 and for distribution lines to £34,000.
§ Mr. BakerIn view of the increased costs which farmers have to bear with the 6 per cent. rise in electricity charges in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's area, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the North of Scotland Board should raise its wayleave payments in comparison with those of the South of Scotland Board?
§ Mr. RossThis is a matter for the commercial judgment of the Board itself and for negotiation between the Board and the interests concerned with wayleaves.
§ Following is the Table:
| ELECTRICITY WAYLEAVES—STANDARD RENT AND COMPENSATION PAYMENTS | ||||||||||||||||
| North of Scotland (From 15th May, 1959) | England and Wales (Former Rates) | England and Wales (New Rates) | ||||||||||||||
| Non-Arable | Arable | Non-Arable | Cultivated Grassland | Arable | Non-Arable | Cultivated Grassland | Arable | |||||||||
| s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | |
| Poles | ||||||||||||||||
| Single | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Double | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 0 |
| Stay | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Towers | ||||||||||||||||
| Under 10′ sq. | 5 | 0 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| 10′ sq. to 12½′ sq. | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 38 | 0 | ||||
| 12½′ sq. to 15′ sq. | 5 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 44 | 0 |
| 15′ sq. to 17½′ sq. | 5 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 15 | 6 | 37 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 21 | 6 | 54 | 6 |
| 17½′ sq. to 20′ sq. | 7 | 6 | 15 | 6 | 42 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 21 | 6 | 61 | 6 | ||||
| 20′ sq. to 25′ sq. | 5 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 15 | 6 | 47 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 21 | 6 | 69 | 6 |
| 25′ sq. to 30′ sq. | 5 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 30 | 6 | 87 | 6 |
| 30′ sq. to 35′ sq. | 10 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 75 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 30 | 6 | 109 | 6 | ||||
| 35′ sq. to 40′ sq. | 5 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 146 | 0 |
| 40′ sq. to 45′ sq. | 15 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 125 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 166 | 0 | ||||
| 45′ sq. to 50′ sq. | 20 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 160 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 212 | 0 | ||||
| 50′ sq. to 55′ sq. | 20 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 195 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 258 | 0 | ||||
| 55′ sq. and over | — | — | 20 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 235 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 312 | 0 |