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Order read for resuming Adjourned Debate on Question (20th February)—
That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the powers of charge conferred by Parliament on the Metropolitan Gas Companies, and to report as to the method in which those powers have been exercised, having regard to the differences of price charged by the various companies."—(Mr. Cohen.)
§ *MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I heartily welcome this inquiry. Indeed, I first suggested to the House a Committee, and the honourable Member for East Islington has annexed my suggestion, but has, unfortunately, spoilt it in the terms of his Motion. It is clear that the value of such an inquiry depends upon the verms of the reference, and I desire, in addition to the terms of reference which the honourable Member has placed on the Paper, that the Committee should inquire whether or not the statutory conditions with regard to the price of gas and the dividend should be reconsidered. The Government, however, the other night objected to my Amendment, and as it is clear that I have no possible chance of carrying it, in these circumstances I shall not press my Amendment, but shall throw upon the Government the responsibility of declining to take such steps as would have made the inquiry really beneficial.
§ SIR W. WALROND (Devon, Tiverton)As I was the Member of the Government who objected to the terms 424 of the reference of my honourable Friend the Member for Bethnal Green, I desire to say that I did so because I believed the reference in the Motion of the honourable Member for East Islington was quite wide enough for the purpose, and I am glad to hear that the honourable Member for Bethnal Green has withdrawn his Amendment.
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Ordered—
That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the powers of charge conferred by Parliament on the Metropolitan Gas Companies, and to report as to the method in which those powers have been exercised, having regard to the differences of price charged by the various companies.