§ Mr. Magnayasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that certain electricity suppliers are now penalising consumers by threatening the withdrawal of favourable tariffs and the substitution of more onerous ones if, in addition to lighting, they do not instal electricity for cooking and heating purposes; and whether, in view of the fact that this policy of duress is causing great expense and dissatisfaction, particularly among many consumers in the London area, he will take immediate steps to see that such consumers shall have complete freedom of choice and shall in no way be penalised therein?
§ Mr. BurginI have asked the Electricity Commissioners to make inquiries, and I will notify my hon. Friend of the outcome.
§ Mr. Magnayasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the widespread disappointment at the omission from the Government's legislative programme of a measure to remedy the present chaotic state of electricity distribution in accordance with the recommendations of the McGowan Report and the Government's outline of proposals; and if he can give industrial and private consumers who are vitally affected some assurance that this question will receive attention in the near future?
Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Transport whether he can give some information regarding the proposed legislation to ensure an amply adequate supply of electricity in the rural areas and to enable farmers throughout the country to have electric power available?
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§ Mr. BurginI am not in a position to add to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) on 10th November.
§ Sir I. Alberyasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statistics showing to what extent electricity is being supplied to farms for agricultural purposes; and whether he is satisfied that current is available at economic rates and with servicing facilities similar to those offered in the United States of America?
§ Mr. BurginI have no statistics of the amount of electricity supplied to farms for purely agricultural purposes, but in 1936–37, which is the latest year for which I have the figures, 25,000 farms and horticultural premises out of a total of 136,000 in Great Britain were supplied with 42,000,000 units for general use. Owing to the different circumstances I am not in a position to make a useful comparison between rates and services in this country and in America.
§ Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the number of pylons in use carrying electric cables, and the length of ground they cover; and will he give the percentage of overhead and underground electric wires and cables?
§ Mr. BurginI have no information as to the number of pylons carrying overhead lines in Great Britain, but the approximate length of overhead transmission and distribution lines (exclusive of service lines) at the end of the year 1937–38 was 44,000 miles out of a total of 147,000 miles of underground and overhead lines, or nearly 30 per cent.