HC Deb 04 August 1925 vol 187 cc1326-7

Resolved, That the Special Order made by the Electricity Commissioners under the Electricity (Supply) Acts, 1882 to 1922, and confirmed by the Minister of Transport under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, in respect of part of the rural district of Wirral and the urban district of Neston and Parkgate, in the county of Chester, which was presented on the 6th day of July, 1925, he approved."—[Colonel Ashley.]

Colonel ASHLEY

I beg to move, That the Special Order made by the Electricity Commissioners under the Electricity (Supply) Acts, 1882 to 1922, and confirmed by the Minister of Transport under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, in respect of the parish of Ide and parts of the parishes of Topsham, Pinhoe, and Alphington, in the rural district of St. Thomas, in the county of Devon, which was presented on the 13th day of July, 1925, be approved.

Sir DOUGLAS NEWTON

I venture to ask the House not to approve of this Order, because the whole question of electricity and the policy adopted by the Government seem to me to be wrapped up in Orders of this kind. I protest on the general grounds of policy. In my own area a Bill has been put forward for the supply of electricity which has been welcomed by this House, by two county councils, by many of the urban district councils, and by the borough councils, and has been blocked, and no progress can be made because of the action of the Electricity Commissioners. It does seem to me to be invidious that this House should sanction schemes for the provision of electricity in regard to certain small and selected areas, and leave out of consideration the major schemes which involve the employment of men, cheaper electricity, and are helpful generally to a very large number of persons. Having regard to the position of the development of electricity in this country, I feel that Orders of this kind should be blocked until and unless we get a general statement, not only in regard to one or two areas, but in respect to electricity generally throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Mr. SPEAKER

I would remind the hon. Member that we cannot discuss the general question of electrical development on one Order.

Lieut. - Colonel ACLAND - TROYTE

There is no reason why this Order should not be allowed to go through. It is a simple matter of the supply of electricity to four or five places, and the desire is to make that provision before the winter comes.

Colonel ASHLEY

This is only an Order to enable the supply of electricity in the areas specified, and I trust that the hon. Member will not pursue his opposition further.

Sir D. NEWTON

In view of the opportunity that has been kindly given to me to put my point, I should like to withdraw my opposition.

Resolved, That the Special Order made by the Electricity Commissioners under the Electricity (Supply) Acts, 1882 to 1922, and confirmed by the Minister of Transport under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, in respect of the city of Lichfield and pare of the rural district of Lichfield, in the county of Stafford, and for other purposes, which was presented on the 14th day of July 1925, be approved." — [Colonel Ashley.]