HC Deb 18 June 1917 vol 94 cc1399-400
3. Mr. P. A. HARRIS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there are any representatives of municipal coporations owning their own electric light and power undertakings on the Committee appointed by the Board to inquire into the supply of electricity after the War; whether the Committee has issued an interim Report; and, if so, whether the House will have an opportunity of discussing it?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. G. H. Roberts)

There is at present on the Committee one representative of a municipol corporation having its own electricity undertaking, and as my right hon. Friend informed my hon. Friend the Member for the North-Western Division of Staffordshire on the 11th instant, the President has decided to increase the representation of such local authorities. The Committee have not issued any interim Report.

Mr. FIELD

Will the House have an opportunity of discussing the interim Report, because the matter has engaged a good deal of attention in many places?

Mr. ROBERTS

That question should be addressed to the Leader of the House. No Report is ready yet.

Mr. HARRIS

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that outlines of the Report of this Committee have been appearing in the Press, and do they accurately represent the Report or are they purely a figment of the imagination?

Mr. ROBERTS

I do not know to what reports the hon. Gentleman is referring.

Mr. WATT

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the dissatisfaction that exists as to the constitution of the Committees which the Board of Trade is appointing, and will that be remedied in future?

Mr. ROBERTS

I was not aware of the fact, but any representations which the hon. Member may wish to make will receive attention.