HC Deb 14 March 1973 vol 852 cc1266-8
3. Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give a general direction to the electricity boards that where they cut off the supply of electricity to any house inhabited by children below the age of 16 years they must report the matter to the appropriate local authority social work department.

Mr. Younger

Following consultations which my right hon. Friend initiated through his Social Work Services Group, comprehensive guidance will shortly be sent to local officials of the electricity boards and the social services with the aim of identifying and dealing with problems before and not after a household is disconnected. I consider that this is the best way to proceed.

Mr. Steel

Will the hon. Gentleman accept that his answer will be warmly received throughout Scotland and that this is a significant step forward? Is he aware that I have had recent complaints from social workers in my constituency about practices adopted by electricity boards and that I have investigated individual cases, including one where a young child was burned with water from a boiling kettle which was being used to pour water into a tin bath? Does he agree that these Dickensian methods are not the ones which we should be encouraging through public authorities in Scotland?

Mr. Younger

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for drawing attention to this matter and I very much agree with what he has said. The electricity boards are extremely anxious to be as careful and as humane as they can in this matter and they have co-operated willingly in this initiative.

Mr. Edward Taylor

In view of the welcome action taken by my hon. Friend, will he now invite boards to reconsider the installation of prepayment meters since the existence of such meters may prevent many families from getting into substantial arrears?

Mr. Younger

The boards are conscious of the difficulties that this can cause and I will draw my hon. Friend's suggestion to their attention.

Mr. John Smith

Can guidance be given to the boards to stop the practice of large deposits being required before electricity is reconnected? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that for many poorer families the requirement of a large deposit means that they will never get the supply reconnected?

Mr. Younger

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the electricity boards conducted a careful study of this problem a few months ago. I understand that they have now resolved this matter to the satisfaction of the consultative council which discussed it with them.