HC Deb 13 December 1926 vol 200 cc2724-5

Lords Amendment:

In page 19, line 33, after the word "that," insert section thirteen of the Electric Lighting Act, 1882 (which relates to the breaking up of private streets, railways and tramways), and

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

Under Section 13 of the Act of 1882 there are restrictions imposed upon the breaking up of private streets, and so on, unless in pursuance of special powers or with the written consent of the Electricity Commission as it is now. It is common form nowadays in any private Act to insert a Clause in pursuance of the powers given in the Act for the breaking up of private streets, in order to come within Section 13, and, therefore we are inserting these words so as, to put the Board in the position that any power company, for example, is put in under its principal Act.

Lords Amendment:

In page 19, line 36, at the end, insert and that section twenty of the Schedule to the Electric Lighting (Clauses) Act, 1899, in its application to the Board, shall have effect as if after the words electric signalling communication' wherever they occur, there were inserted the words or electrical control of railways.'

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

This is really a drafting Amendment. In another place they moved this from the Fifth Schedule to this Clause, a more appropriate place.

Mr. TOWNEND

I would like an explanation as to the difference between electric signalling communication," which I do understand, and "electrical control of railways"? Can the right hon. Gentleman give a practical illustration?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon)

It is rather a technical point. In one case the actual signal is operated by a direct current started from one place, whereas by remote control the power is supplied from the far end. The trigger release, so to speak, is held by a very light and delicate current. It is practically a method of relay. The current is of a very small order, and is very liable to be upset by a big alternating current in close proximity.