§ MR. ASHLEYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the Memorandum of the Commissioners of Works on Electric Power and Supply Bills, he will take steps to give effect to the views of the Commissioners on the subject of damage to trees and shrubs by smoke and other products of combustion, in connection with the London County Council (Electric Supply) Bill at present before a Committee of this House, and particularly to procure the omission of Clause 3 (2) of that Bill.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. KEARLEY,) DevonportI have no doubt that the Committee of this House to whom the London County Council (Electric Supply) Bill is referred will give full consideration to the views of the Commissioners of Works with respect to possible injury to trees and shrubs by smoke and other products of combustion from generating stations, and I will confer with my right hon. friend the First Commissioner as to the way in which these views can be brought before the Committee. The particular clause referred to is based on the recommendation of the Joint Committee of the two Houses (which considered the subject in 1898) to the effect that where a site for a generating station is acquired under compulsory powers, and is specified in the special Act, the undertakers should not be subjected to any further liability than that which is imposed by the common law in the case of persons exercising statutory powers and duties. It is for the Committee to decide on the evidence submitted to them whether any particular site should or should not be so exempted.