§ MR. LEVESON GOWER (Stoke-upon-Trent)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade has rejected the application of the Vestry of St. George's, Hanover Square, for the admission of electric current for the purpose of lighting, which is now available close to the western boundary of Belgravia, and is being generally used in the adjoining streets; whether he is aware that numerous residents in Belgravia have urged the Vestry to take action in the matter, in consequence of the two Electric Light Companies to whom Provisional Orders were granted last year having made no apparent progress in Belgravia; and whether there is any valid reason why the Vestry, who are bound to meet the requirements of the ratepayers, should not be allowed to obtain a supply from a third company, which is in a position to furnish it without further delay?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.I have been urged by the Vestry of St. George, Hanover Square, to grant a Provisional Order allowing a third company to supply electrical energy in the parish, in addition to the two companies already possessing such powers. I am not, however, prepared to interfere with the arrangements made in the Metropolis last year, after prolonged inquiry, until the companies to whom powers were then granted have been allowed a reasonable time for proving their ability to discharge their obligations, this arrangement was supported by the London County Council. I have, however, informed the companies in question, whose applications, I may state, were last year supported by the Local' Authority, that I should not be disposed to adopt this course another year unless they can then prove that they are in a position to supply energy in the district.