Limit on Borrowing etc. of Scottish Electricity Boards

Part of Orders of the Day — Electricity (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Bill – in the House of Commons at 4:30 pm on 4 July 1988.

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Photo of Mrs Maria Fyfe Mrs Maria Fyfe , Glasgow Maryhill 4:30, 4 July 1988

That point is very relevant, especially to the women of Scotland, because often the husband's name is on the electricity bill as the householder, but it is the practice for the women to ensure that the bills are paid. The Government should recognise that women may miss the opportunity. I am in a quandary here because I do not want the Government to offer shares to anyone, but if they are to privatise electricity, the shares should be available to all.

However the sale is conducted, and however many ordinary householders apply for shares, the shares will not remain long in their hands. They will end up in the hands of those who are already rich—the yuppies who are striving for more wealth for themselves. The last thing on their minds will be service to the public and the maintenance of the high standards of which the electricity boards can, rightly, be proud.