§ 18. Mr. John MacKayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider taking steps to assist the provision of electricity supplies in the Island of Colonsay.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherI am pleased to be able to inform my hon. Friend that the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board has indicated its intention to include the provision of a public electricity supply to the island in its future uneconomic rural development programme, which is currently being planned to follow the completion of its present programme in 1981. The board has informed me that, provided a survey shows that a submarine cable is feasible, and provided that the future uneconomic rural development programme attracts support from the European regional development fund, it would hope to connect the island to the mainland grid by submarine cable before the end of 1983.
§ Mr. MacKayDoes my hon. Friend realise that that news will be welcome to my constituents on Colonsay, who are without a proper electricity supply? In the interim, can he give them any hope of an abatement of the high charges that they face for the electricity that they use?
§ Mr. FletcherThe Highlands and Islands Development Board has agreed to provide a temporary subsidy to the Colonsay community electricity association, which will have the effect of substantially reducing the price of electricity to domestic consumers on the island.
§ Mr. MaclennanWelcome though that answer is, can the Minister say what steps he proposes to take, in the light of the Secretary of State's announcement to support the differential charging of 519 islanders, to remove this anomaly and ensure that all highlanders and islanders pay the same tariff for electricity, in the light of the recommendations of the Consumer Council?
§ Mr. FletcherMy right hon. Friend and I very much regret the board's decision in relation to diesel charges. However, I must advise the hon. Gentleman that in this affair my right hon. Friend has no powers to give a direction to the board.