§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in each case in which a Provisional Order for electric lighting has been granted by the Board of Trade the proposed Provisional Order was first formally submitted to the Local Authority of every district in which the Order would have effect, and the consent or refusal of that Local Authority was directly invited, in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of the Electric Lighting Act of 1888; if he has yet satisfied himself whether the County Council for London is, in regard to the embankment, bridges, and some 396 main roads, the Local Authority in some parts of the Metropolis; and whether, in addition to a general approval of a model form, the London County Council was invited to consent to any Provisional Order affecting their jurisdiction as Local Authority, and whether they consented; if so, how it comes that they now oppose Provisional Order Bills Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5, and how it comes that the Corporation of Birmingham oppose the Birmingham Bill?
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe Draft Provisional Orders have been in all cases submitted to the Local Authorities in the Metropolis, including the County Council for London. In settling the final terms of those Provisional Orders I have endeavoured as far as possible to give effect to the wishes of those Local Authorities, but it has not been possible for me in every case to satisfy every authority as regards every clause of the Orders. I may mention as an instance that some of the clauses inserted at the instance of the London County Council are objected to by one or more of the Vestries. I have very little doubt that the Committee to whom the Orders have been referred will be able to deal satisfactorily with the few objections still remaining.
§ In reply to a further question by Sir G. Campbell.
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHsaid: The Local Authorities have differed on the matter, and we cannot please everybody.