§
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 borough of Godalming and parts of the parishes of Godalming rural and Compton, in the rural district of Guildford, in the county of Surrey, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, be approved."—[Mr.Herbert Morrison.]
§ Mr. C. WILLIAMSI wish to draw the attention of the House to the fact that this is one of eleven Electricity Orders coming on at this time of night. It is only right and in accordance with the best traditions of the House that, if we take these Orders at this time, we should pay some attention to them. It is unusual to have such a large number on one evening, and I think that should be protested against in the interests of the House. I will take this first Order, so that we may rest assured that the right hon. Gentleman in charge has gone into them with that sense of duty which always distinguishes him. I should like to know the total area and also the approximate population which is covered by this particular Order. If the right hon. Gentleman can give me an answer to these two simple questions, I shall be satisfied as far as this particular Order is concerned. I feel sure that with his great industry ho will be able to give me these figures and relieve my mind as to whether this is a fit arid proper Order to pass without further consideration.
§ Commander SOUTHBYI do not desire to detain the House, but I should like to ask whether for the convenience of the House it would not be possible on future occasions when such Orders have to be taken to take rather fewer, so that hon. Members who wish to do so may raise points without unduly detaining the House at such a late hour.
§ Sir D. HERBERTMay I ask whether it is not the case that in the last Parliament members of the party opposite raised this kind of question on several occasions and that an informal understanding was arrived at that not more than five Orders should be taken on any one night? I think that was the understanding arrived at at the instigation of hon. Members opposite, and I ask in these circumstances that they should carry it out.
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Herbert Morrison)Of course, if there are real points of criticism which hon. Members in any part of the House wish to raise on this matter and which they would prefer to have explained, I should not be unwilling that particular Orders should be postponed, but my advice was that there was no opposition to these Orders. Usually, when particular points are to be raised, hon. Members are good enough to let me know in advance so that I can he fully prepared to deal with them and to give them in advance information which often meets the difficulty which they have in mind. I quite agree that it is rather a large number of Orders, but I was advised that it was not in excess of the gentlemen's agreement which was supposed to exist on this subject. I know the point is raised by all Oppositions, whether by this party or by hon. Gentlemen opposite, but I am not guilty myself because I have never been in Opposition, so nothing can be said as to my own record in this matter. It is rather urgent that these Orders should go through, and I had been advised that there was no opposition to them. Certain of them involve possible employment at a fairly early date and I should be sorry to postpone them. I am prepared to lose my last train once again if it meets the needs of the House of Commons. The hon. Member has asked me what is the area and the population of the parishes. Certain areas have been added to the undertakings involved, but I will surrender straight away and tell him. I have been so industrious on things that are really urgent that I have not looked up that point because it did not seem to matter to any extent. But I will let him know with the greatest of pleasure and with all the courtesy in the world. I hope I may now have my Resolution.
§
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 borough of Godalming and parts of the parishes of Godalming rural and Compton, in the rural district of Guildford, in the county of Surrey, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, 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 parts of the rural districts of Ashbourne and Sudbury, in the county of Derby. which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, 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 part of the rural district of Macclesfield, in the county of Chester, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, 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 parts of the townships of Clackheaton and Liversedge, in the urban district of Speuborough, in the West Riding of the county of York, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, he 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 rural district of Halt-whistle, part of the rural district of Bellingham, and part of the rural district of Hexham, in the county of Northumberland, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, be approved."—[Mr. Herbert Morrison.]
§
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 borough of Saltash, the
2559
urban district of Torpoint, and the rural district of St. Germans, in the county of Cornwall, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, be approved."—[Mr. Herbert Morrison.]
§ Mr. C. WILLIAMSI fully accept the hon. Gentleman's previous explanations but I should like to have his assurance in this one case. I notice that some of the Cornish Members are present. I have some connections with Cornwall and I should like an assurance for practical purposes as Cornwall is not now represented in the House.
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONWhat assurance does the hon. Member want?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSThat the hon. Gentleman's Department believes this is absolutely all right.
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONCertainly. This is very simple. These parishes want a supply and they ought to have it.
§
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 borough of Saltash, the urban district of Torpoint, and the rural district of St. Germans, in the county of Cornwall, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, 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 parts of the burgh of Hamilton, in the county of Lanark, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1920, be approved.
§
Resolved,
That the Special Order made by the Electricity Commissioners under the Elec-
2560
tricity (Supply) Acts, 1882 to 1928, and confirmed by the Minister of Transport under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1919, in respect of the parish or division of Llanfrechfa Lower, in the rural district of Pontypool, in the county of Monmouth, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, 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 rural districts of Brampton and Longtown and part of the rural district of Carlisle, in the county of Cumberland, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, 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 transfer of the undertaking authorised by the Porthcawl Electricity Special Order, 1926, and other purposes, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, 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 part of the township of Hensingham, in the rural district of Whitehaven, in the county of Cumberland, which was presented on the 28th day of October, 1930, be approved.
§ The remaining 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 Twelve o'Clock.