§ MR. OCTAVIUS V. MORGANI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether Local Authorities have power to transfer gas or water undertakings, acquired by them by Provisional Order or Act of Parliament, without statutory powers; and, if not, whether the provisions the Board of Trade have inserted in Electric Lighting Orders now before the House, enabling Local 1329 Authorities to transfer undertakings to be authorised by those Orders, are ultra vires?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI am not aware that Local Authorities have any power to transfer gas or water undertakings acquired by Provisional Order or Act of Parliament without statutory authority; but provisions have been inserted, in accordance with the powers of the general Acts, in the Electric Lighting Orders, granted this Session, authorising Local Authorities to transfer their powers and liabilities to any company or person with the consent of, and upon terms to be approved by, the Board of Trade. I am advised that such provisions are not ultra vires.