HC Deb 18 February 1930 vol 235 cc1344-6

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 Loddon and Clavering, in the county of Norfolk, which was presented on the 21st day of January, 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 urban districts of Ashburton and Buckfastleigh and parts of the rural districts of Newton Abbot and Totnes, all in the county of Devon, and for other purposes, which was presented on the 21st day of January, 1930, be approved.—[Mr. Herbert Morrison.]

Major HARVEY

We really want a little more information on this matter. I do not think the House is fully seized of the situation, and we might have a little explanation from the Minister. I see from the Order Paper that the undertakers for this purpose are the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the borough of Torquay. It is perfectly well known that the borough of Torquay does produce the juice which is used in Newton Abbot. I fail to see why they should be the authorities to decide this question. Why should the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of Torquay decide what roads are to be pulled up and what action taken in regard to other places? After all, they are only the people who produce the juice that supplies these places. I really think we might have some explanation from the Minister before this Motion goes through.

Mr. HERBERT MORRISON

The provisions of the Order are in the usual form, and it is the common practice that authorised undertakers have the power to pull up streets, provided that they put them back in a satisfactory condition. It so happens that this is a municipal undertaking getting powers to supply an area outside the municipal area which hitherto it had not supplied. These powers are commonly supplied to companies, but this happens to be a municipality. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that it is in common form, as has been quite recently 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 urban district of Hornsea and part of the rural district of Skirlaugh, in the East Riding of the county of York, which was presented on the 21st day of January, 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 Pontardawe, in the county of Glamorgan, which was presented on the 21st day of January, 1930, be approved."—[Mr. Herbert Morrison.]

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

It being after half-past Eleven of the Clock upon Tuesday evening, Mr. SFEAKER adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned at Twenty Minutes before One o'clock.