HC Deb 14 August 1913 vol 56 cc2795-6

(4) If any interruption in the supply of gas or water shall without the written authority of the owners be in any way occasioned either by reason of the exercise of the statutory powers conferred upon the Postmaster-General or by the act or default of the Postmaster-General or of any of his contractors agents workmen or servants or any person in the employ of them or any or either of them the Postmaster-General shall forfeit and pay to the owners for the use and benefit of the owners a sum not exceeding ten pounds for every hour during which such interruption shall continue,

(5) The Postmaster-General shall not raise sink or otherwise alter the position of any apparatus of the Metropolitan Water Board or of the Gas Light and Coke Company so as to diminish the covering over such apparatus or to make the same more than five feet.

Lords Amendments:—

In Sub-section (4), leave out the word "or" ["gas or water."]

After the word "water" ["water shall"], insert the words "or electrical energy."

In Sub-section (5), after the word "apparatus" ["any apparatus"], insert the words "or electric lines."

Lords Amendment: After the word "company" ["Light and Coke Company"], insert the words "or of any company authorised under the Electric Lighting Acts, 1882 to 1909, to supply electrical energy within the administrative county of London."

Mr. SPEAKER

This last Amendment, I think, comes within the rules of privilege, because by inserting the words "or electrical energy" it makes the Postmaster-General responsible for compensation for any default which may occur in the supply of electrical energy. Therefore, technically it is a breach of privilege of the House. But if this had gone forward as a private Bill this Amendment, and several other Amendments of a similar character to which I shall have to call attention, could have been made in the House of Lords, and been accepted by this House as a matter of course. I venture to suggest to the House that in the case of this Amendment, and some of the others to which I shall call attention, the House might waive the privilege and make a special entry in the Journal.

Lords Amendment: After Clause 21, insert