HC Deb 11 December 1929 vol 233 cc616-8

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Special Order made by the Electricity Commissioners under the Electricity (Supply) Acts, 1882 to 1928, and confirmed by the Minister of Transport under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, in respect of the urban district of Knaresborough, and Darts of the rural districts of Pateley Bridge and Great Ouseburn, in the West Riding of the county of York, which was presented on the 7th day of November, 1929, be approved."—[Mr. Ponsonby.]

Commander WILLIAMS

I wish to put a question to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport on this Order. It is essential that we should be quite clear on the matter. I should like to know what is the size of the area which is taken in by the Order. It is in respect of the Urban District of Knaresborough and parts of the Rural Districts of Pateley Bridge and Great Ouseburn. Why are only parts of these rural areas included and, further, where are the "spare parts" if I may so term them, of these districts to get their electricity supply? There is probably good reason for the form of the Order but I think we should have an explanation from the Parliamentary Secretary to whom we all wish the greatest possible success in his new office.

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Mr. Ponsonby)

This Order and the other Orders on the Paper have been passed by the Electricity Commissioners and approved by the Minister. They have also been passed in another place. They all deal with extensions of areas of supply and in no case is any opposition anticipated. I am afraid I cannot go into the details of the Orders but I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that they are in the usual form.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Special Order made by the Electricity Commissioners under the Electricity (Supply) Acts, 1882 to 1928, and confirmed by the Minister of Transport under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, in respect of the urban district of Knaresborough, and parts of the rural districts of Pateley Bridge and Great Ouseburn, in the West Riding of the county of York, which was presented on the 7th day of November, 1929, be approved.

"Resolved, That the Special Order made by the Electricity Commissioners under the Electricity (Supply) Acts, 1882 to 1928, and confirmed by the Minister of Transport under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, in respect of the parishes of Llangynor and Abergwili, in the rural district of Carmarthen, in the county of Carmarthen, and for other purposes, which was presented on the 7th day of November, 1929, be approved."—(Mr. Ponsonby.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Special Order made by the Electricity Commissioners under the Electricity (Supply) Acts, 1882 to 1928, and confirmed by the Minister of Transport under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, in respect of the rural district of Hayfield and part of the rural district of Glossop Dale, in the county of Derby, which was presented on the 7th day of November, 1929, be approved."—[Mr. Ponsonby.]

Commander WILLIAMS

Everyone knows that these Orders have been through the usual course, but it has been the custom from time to time that when an hon. Member wishes to obtain information on these things the Minister in charge has that information by him, and that has never been refused before. He has always known it. In the last Government it happened and our Ministers always knew it, and even the Coalition Ministers always knew it. Will the hon. Gentleman obtain for me the size of these areas and say whether they are in the grid?

Major OWEN

On a point of Order. Is it permissible to discuss these Orders?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Member is not out of order.

Commander WILLIAMS

Although the Minister may not have the information to-night—though I still hope he has—I am sure that in future he will be able to give such information to the House.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Special Order made by the Electricity Commissioners under the Electricity (Supply) Acts, 1882 to 1928, and confirmed by the Minister of Transport under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, in respect of the rural district of Hayfield and part of the rural district of Glossop Dale, in the county of Derby, which was presented on the 7th day of November, 1929, be approved.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.