HC Deb 26 July 1982 vol 28 cc738-9
12. Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received concerning the reorganisation of areas within Lancashire by the North-Western electricity board; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

I have received a number of representations about the plans of the North-Western electricity board to reorganise its areas. This is essentially a management matter for the board.

Mr. Straw

Is the Minister aware that there is substantial resentment in the Blackburn area, particularly among the staff, about the way in which the decisions were made, particularly the appointment of senior staff, before a decision was made about the location of the new offices? As the explanation given for the changes was that they would secure financial savings, what monitoring will be carried out by the Department or the Electricity Council to ensure that savings are indeed made?

Mr. Mellor

Although I in no way underestimate the concern that these matters cause in individual constituencies, they are essentially matters for the day-to-day management of the board. Accordingly, the powers of the Department are limited, although we keep in touch on these issues. I know enough about the subject to know that the chairman and deputy chairman of the area board take very seriously the complaints that the hon. Gentleman has raised and would be willing to meet him. The chairman of the North-Western Electricity Consultative Council is also prepared to become involved if the hon. Gentleman wishes.

Sir Charles Fletcher-Cooke

Is it not strange that the area with the best record in labour relations and efficiency has been eliminated? Is this not another case which proves that, whether it be polytechnics, new towns or whatever, Preston is always preferred to Blackburn, and does my hon. Friend agree that that should stop?

Mr. Mellor

As I was born in Dorset, I should perhaps not intervene too much in any rivalry that may exist between Preston and Blackburn. These are difficult matters, but, in the interests of efficiency and serving the consumer best, area boards throughout the country have been trying to cut administrative overheads. That is always difficult, but there are local ways of putting forward objections and having them heard. Apart from anything else, the part-time members of the North-Western board are in the majority and can intervene if they see fit.

Mr. Robert Atkins

Is my hon. Friend aware that the people of Preston are delighted that the part of the North-Western electricity board to which he referred has been centred on Preston and that we are very grateful for the management decision that was taken? Is he also aware that that view is shared by the hon. Member for Preston, South (Mr. Thorne), who is not on the Conservative Benches?

Mr. Mellor

I think that at this point discretion should be the better part of valour.

Mr. Spriggs

In considering consultation with other bodies, will the Minister consult the Glass Manufacturers Federation, which represents all the glass firms in the North-West, about its consumption of electricity and about the reorganisation of the electricity board's undertaking in the North-West?

Mr. Mellor

I have visited factories in the North-West on several occasions since taking office. Representatives of industries know that my door is always open to them if they wish to discuss electricity prices. The hon. Gentleman raises an important point, in that most people feel that they are paying more than they should for electricity. That is why it is crucial for area boards to be able to show that they are not carrying unnecesssary fat in their administration, which means that extra costs are passed on to consumers, particularly industries facing difficulties such as the one to which the hon. Gentleman referred.

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