§ MR. J. R. YORKEasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether it is the fact, as reported, that several local authorities in London are unwilling to enter into arrangements for establishing electric lighting within their respective districts; and, if so, whether, in view of such unwillingness, he would be disposed to consider the advisability of still further extending the time allowed to such local authorities for considering the provisions of the Model Provisional Order recently issued by the Board, for the guidance of local authorities seeking to make arrange- 1272 ments with Companies for the introduction of new systems of electric lighting throughout the Metropolis?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAIN,in reply, said, that it was true that some of the local authorities in London desired to have further time to consider what course they should take with regard to electric lighting; but if such delay were granted it would be impossible to carry any scheme for lighting their district by electricity into effect during the present year owing to the Standing Orders of the other House. Some of the principal local authorities, both in London and in the country, had already found the Model Order a satisfactory arrangement; and all those bodies, in his opinion, had had plenty of time for full consideration of the subject.