§ 71. Mr. T. M. HEALYasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether a circular has been issued by his Department urging an arrangement to merge electrical supplies with a view to saving coal; has he considered that new cables and other expense might be necessary to enable such plans to be carried out, involving capital expenditure; and will enabling legislation be introduced to render possible the desirable economies which the Board of Trade wish to effect in cases where statutory authority would be required?
Mr. HARCOURTThe answer to the first two portions of the question is in the affirmative. In issuing the circular the Board of Trade had not in mind any large schemes of interconnection involving heavy capital expenditure and a large use of material, but rather contemplated arrangements between undertakers whose areas of supply adjoin, or nearly so. I do not think that legislation for this purpose is requisite, but should the necessity for it appear to arise, I would be prepared to give the matter full consideration.