§ 2.59 p.m.
§ LORD FERRIERMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware of the widespread disappointment among domestic consumers which has been caused by the publication of the new off-peak tariffs by the South of Scotland Electricity Board and the resentment which has arisen from the wording of the publication.]
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, the prices to be charged for electricity in their district is a matter for the South of Scotland Electricity Board. Consumers may make representations about them to the Electricity Consultative Council for the South Board's Area.
§ LORD FERRIERMy Lords, while thanking the noble Marquess for his Answer, with your Lordships' permission I should like to express a welcome to him on this his first appearance at the Dispatch Box at Question Time. Nevertheless, I must declare my interest because in terms of the off-peak tariffs published in March this year I have myself put in an off-peak circuit. Be that as it may, I think I am right in saying there has been great disappointment and resentment at the manner and production of these off-peak tariffs. May I ask the noble Marquess whether it might not he proper, in view of this situation, and aware as one is of his position vis-à-vis the local board, to suggest to them that at least some moratorium might he introduced, perhaps some delay, so that the possible injudicious nature of these increases might be reconsidered and certainly the manner of their presentation might in the interests of consumer relations be reconsidered also?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMay I first of all thank my noble friend for his kind remarks, and assure him I am also a fellow consumer of the Board to which he refers and I do have an appreciation of his problem. So far as this question is concerned, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has no power of direction in this matter: it is entirely one for the Board. Nevertheless, I am quite certain that the Board will take notice of what has been said in this House this afternoon and, indeed, of the many letters which have appeared in the Scottish Press in the last few days about this matter.