§ MR. E. H. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a copy of a resolution, passed at a conference of delegates from local authorities north of the Thames, and within the area of supply of the Gas Light and Coke Company, held on the 28th ultimo, praying that a Roard of Trade inquiry should be held into the past and present management and working of the Gas Light and Coke Company, with a view to putting an end to the anomaly whereby gas consumers on the north side of the Thames have to pay 3s. 213 per 1,000 feet, as against 2s. 3d. per 1,000 feet charged on the south side; and whether he will institute such an inquiry?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADENo, Sir: I have not yet received the resolution referred to, but when I do, it shall receive my careful consideration. It is very doubtful whether the Board of Trade have any power to hold a statutory inquiry, but during the Recess I will consider how, if at all, the wishes of the memorialists can be given effect to.