32. Lieut.-Colonel Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a general direction to the North of Scotland Electricity Board to take immediate measures to provide electricity supplies to the remoter areas of the North-East of Scotland.
§ Mr. YoungerPriorities for electricity supply are entirely for the board to decide, and this is not a matter in which I can properly give a direction. I understand that over 96 per cent. of potential consumers in the North-East have been connected and that the board is proceeding to connect the remainder as fast as its finances will allow.
Lieut.-Colonel MitchellIs my hon. Friend aware of the hardship which this brings to upland farmers and that we had an election promise to bring light to people?
§ Mr. YoungerI have no doubt whatever that the advent of this new Government will indeed bring light to all the people. I well appreciate my hon. and gallant Friend's concern about the supply of electricity to many of his constituents, and I suggest to him that he will find the members of the board most sympathetic if he has a particular case about which he would like to write to them.
§ Mr. BuchanWill not the hon. Gentleman be a little more sympathetic to his hon. and gallant Friend? Clearly, he requires light to read the small print in the Conservative manifesto about the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
§ Mr. YoungerThat is a matter for my right hon. Friend.