HC Deb 13 May 1981 vol 4 cc756-7
8. Mr. McKelvey

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the light of the large number of families in the South of Scotland whose electricity is disconnected, he will take special measures to help them.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The Government have already taken substantial steps to help with fuel cost hardship, mainly through the supplementary benefit and family income supplement schemes. The South of Scotland Electricity Board carries out disconnections in accordance with the gas and electricity industries' code of practice dealing with the payment and recovery of fuel debt. I understand from the board that there has been no significant increase in the number of disconnections in the year to 31 March 1981.

Mr. McKelvey

In view of that disgraceful reply, does not the Minister realise that, in the South of Scotland, about 1,200 homes were without electricity for the whole of 1980, and that, proportionately, that is the worst record for the whole of Great Britain? Does he not agree that the code of practice that is being operated by the South of Scotland Electricity Board is a complete failure, considering that it affects those families who are in a high priority category of need? Should he not introduce statutory limits to the powers of the Scottish boards so that these poor people may be protected?

Mr. Fletcher

The operation of the code of practice by the South of Scotland Electricity Board is monitored by the electricity consultative council for the South of Scotland district, and the consultative council is satisfied that the board's procedure and its application generally complies with the aims and spirit of the code of practice.

Mr. Henderson

I have on occasion criticised nationalised industries, but will my hon. Friend accept that, over the past two years, South of Scotland Electricity Board, in dealing with constituent's problems, has dealt sensitively with people who have had difficulty in paying their bills? Will he assist the SSEB to make more widely known a number of schemes that it has to assist the people to pay their electricity bills?

Mr. Fletcher

We shall be happy to assist with publicity, if we can do so. I welcome what my hon. Friend has said, and I hope that the House will bear it in mind that it is damaging to produce statistics and make false claims and criticisms about the way in which the board is undertaking this task, unless they can be properly substantiated. If any Members have evidence that the board is not behaving properly, I hope that they will direct such evidence, first, to the chairman and, secondly, to myself.

Mr. Foulkes

Has the Minister seen the evidence in the excellent pamphlet produced by the Scottish Fuel Poverty Action Group called "Living in the Dark Ages", which catalogues the appalling hardship of poor families who have been disconnected? What action will he take on the recommendations contained in that pamphlet to end disconnections, to abolish warrant sales and, above all, to improve liaison for early action to deal with fuel debts?

Mr. Fletcher

The Government have increased substantially the funds available to help those who have difficulty paying their electricity bills.