asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many disconnections of supply in (a) gas and (b) electricity took place as a result of fuel deficits in each year since 1970 in Scotland; in how many cases had: (1) the Department of Social Services local office and (2) the local authority social services department been consulted before disconnection; how many families with children and pensioners, respectively, were affected; and what was the average length of disconnection of supply.

The information requested relates to matters within the statutory responsibilities of the Scottish electricity boards. I am, therefore, asking the chairmen of the boards to write to the hon. Member. Questions about gas are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy.