§ 1919 Mr. EVERARD
§ Captain Viscount CURZON (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is informed by the Electricity Commissioners that the exceptional delay to which my hon. Friend refers is due to the fact that this is the first case in which the Commissioners have decided to insert a Clause in accordance with the provisions of Section 39 (2) of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1926, to make provision as to the relation between the price charged for electricity and the divisible profits on the capital attributable to the undertaking. This Clause has been the subject of prolonged discussion with the promoters. I understand that subject to any further observations that the promoters may wish to make the Order will forthwith be submitted to my right hon. Friend for confirmation. With regard to the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend does not propose to take any steps to restore Provisional Order procedure, which necessitated an Act of Parliament being obtained for the confirmation of every Order.