HC Deb 23 July 1889 vol 338 cc1087-9

Bill considered.

Clause (Reservation of right of person to supply his own and adjacent premises,)—(Mr. Bartley,)—brought up, and read the first time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause be read a second time."

* MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

Of course no one has a right without an Act of Parliament to cross a road or to take up the streets; but if one or two houses choose to combine to supply themselves with the electric light and set up an engine, I do not see why they should not have power to do so.

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

I have looked into the matter, and there is no doubt whatever that the provisions of the Bill will in no way interfere with or take away the rights of individuals which the hon. Member refers to. It will be competent to any person to supply his own or his neighbours' premises with the electric light so long as he does not break up or cross the public street. Still, the insertion in this Bill of the proposed clause might beheld to prejudice the rights of gas and water companies in the Metropolis, and I therefore hope that it will not be passed.

* MR. BARTLEY

On that assurance I will withdraw the clause.

Motion and Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

MR. BAUMANN

I now propose to move in Clause 24 to leave out the word "three" and insert "two." I move the Amendment rather with the idea of ascertaining what may be the feeling of other metropolitan Members, because the metropolitan Members are the only representatives whom the general public have in the matter. I may remind the House that all the consumers will not live in scheduled streets. The districts proposed to be supplied are not very numerous, and consist principally of the large streets and squares of London.

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

I will accept the Amendment.

MR. BAUMANN

The right hon. Gentleman has cut short my remarks in the most agreeable manner by accepting the Amendment. I will only add that the object of the Amendment is to reduce from three to two years the period for which consumers are to be bound in unscheduled streets. By guaranteeing the supply for two years the undertakers will get 40 per cent upon their outlay.

Amendment moved, Clause 24, line 34, to leave out "three" and insert "two."

Question, "That 'three' stand part of the Clause," put, and negatived.

Question, "That 'two' be there inserted," put, and agreed to.

MR. BAUMANN

I may remind the President of the Board of Trade that the adoption of this Amendment will involve a great many other Amendments.

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

I will undertake that the Bill shall be amended so as to carry out the understanding which has been arrived at.

Bill read the third time, and passed.