§ 90. Viscount CURZONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Battersea Borough Council have decided to purchase a plot, of land in the borough for the purpose of erecting a show room for electrical appliances at a price of £4,000; whether he is aware that the land referred to is valued by the district valuer at £3,300; and whether he can take any steps to prevent such a transaction taking place?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY' to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT' (Colonel Ashley)I have been asked to reply. The sanctioning authority for loans in connection with electricity supply is the Electricity Commissioners. In the event of the borough council applying to the Commissioners for sanction to borrow' money for the acquisition of the land in question, the Commissioners, in accordance with their general practice, will consult the district valuer.
§ Viscount CURZONAre we to understand from that answer that a borough council has power to go in for this expenditure and the Government have no power to prevent it?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIt depends whether the borough council are going to pay for it out of the rates or out of their general powers, or are coming for a special loan.
§ Viscount CURZONIf it is out of the rates, have the Government power to deal with the matter?
§ Mr. SAKLATVALAIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Battersea Borough Council, by running its own power station, are selling electric current at 4½d. as compared with 8d. in the neighbouring borough by a private company, and in view of this, and especially when the landlord will not part with the land cheaper, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider this a, reasonable demand?