HC Deb 23 November 1926 vol 200 cc373-6

Resolved,

"That the draft of a Special Order proposed to be made by the Board of Trade under Section 10 of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, on the application of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of the city of Salford, which was presented on the 4th August and published, be approved."

Resolved,

"That the draft of a Special Order proposed to he made, by the Board of Trade under Section 10 of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, on the application of the Farnham Gas and Electricity Company, which was presented on the 25th October and published, he approved."

Resolved,

"That the draft of a Special Order proposed to be made by the Board of Trade under Section 10 of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, on the application of the Godalming Gas and Coke Company, Limited, which was presented on the 25th October and published, he approved."

Resolved,

"That the draft of a Special Order proposed to be made by the Board of Trade under Section 10 of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, on the application of the Hampton Court Gas Company, which was presented on the 25th October and published, be approved."

Resolved,

"That the draft of a Special Order proposed to be made by the Board of Trade under Section 10 of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, on the application of the Herne Bay Gas Company, Limited, which was presented on the 25th October and published, be approved."

Sir B. CHADWICK

I beg to move: That the draft of a Special Order propased to be made by the Board of Trade under Section 10 of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, on the application of the United District Gas Company, which was presented on the 25th October and published, be approved.

Mr. BUCHANAN

There is a point in which I am interested, about the increase in the price of gas in various parts of the country by a Board of Trade Order. Does any of these Orders include anything in relation to the price of gas and the power of municipalities to increase it to a higher rate than that which has already been granted to them?

Sir B. CHADWICK

Certainly. They relate to the price of gas, but each of these Orders has been the subject of inquiry, and none of them is opposed.

Mr. BUCHANAN

May I give an illustration? The city of Glasgow, part of which I represent, has a statutory limit for the price of gas. I notice from the Press that the Board of Trade have given them liberty to increase the price for that limit to a very much higher one. What steps can I take to raise that matter. I cannot see that it is contained in any of these Orders. Can the hon. Gentleman inform me subsequently of any method by which I can raise the question?

Sir B. CHADWICK

If the hon. Member will communicate with me, I will do what I can.

Mr. MACLEAN

Is not the point which it is sought to be brought out hire what steps are taken by local authorities who are seeking to increase by these Regulations the price of gas from the limit already set out in the byelaws and statutes governing their powers. What steps do they take to acquaint people in their localities with the fact that they intend to apply for powers to increase further the limit of the price they can charge for gas, and to give the consumers an opportunity of making representations to the Board of Trade and showing that they object to it. So far as I know no intimation was given that I could see in the Glasgow Press informing the people that it was intended by the Corporation to apply for powers to increase the price of gas.

Sir B. CHADWICK

These orders are subject to statutory conditions of notice. Certain notice has to be given, and after that a public inquiry is held by a Board of Trade official, and everyone has an opportunity of attending the inquiry. There is not the slightest ground to fear that any people will not have had an opportunity of laying their case if it be desired to do so.

Mr. BUCHANAN

I do not wish to be vexatious, but. I do wish to point out that the city which I represent has applied to the Board of Trade for an order entitling them to increase the price of gas in that city.

I have since tried to find out what method is open to me Parliamentarily to prevent the city from raising the price of gas. I find that the Board of Trade have given an Order, but I cannot find any Parliamentary supervision which I have over the matter. The only object I have in raising the matter is to say that while it may not be a matter for general discussion on any of these Orders we might at any rate have a chance of raising it here with the Board of Trade.

Mr. SPEAKER

In regard to the Parliamentary procedure, I shall be prepared to look into the point which the hon. Member has raised and let him know.

Resolved, That the draft of a Special Order proposed to be made by the Board of Trade under Section 10 of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, on the application of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the borough of Widnes, which was presented on the 25th October and published, be approved."—[Sir B. Chadwick.]

The remaining Government Orders were read, and postponed.

It being after Half-past Eleven of the Clock, Mr. SPEAKER adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned at Eighteen Minutes before Twelve o'clock.