§ 29 and 30. Lord SCONEasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware that the inhabitants of Errol, on the strength of promises made to them by the Grampian Electricity Company, scrapped the gas-fittings of their houses and wired them for electric light, which the company has failed to provide, thus leaving the village deprived of all artificial illuminant at the beginning of winter; and what steps he proposes to take to compel the company to fulfil its obligations;
971 (2) If he will insist on the immediate reference to an independent arbiter of the matter in dispute between the Grampian Electricity Company and small proprietors in the Errol neighbourhood, with a view to hastening the installation of electricity into Errol village?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe company state that the delay in affording a supply of electricity to Errol is due entirely to protracted and unsuccessful wayleave negotiations in respect of a short portion only of the necessary transmission line. They recently applied to me for the appointment of an arbiter to determine certain differences as to the compensation payable in respect of the erection of certain lines to which I had given my consent. While I have power under the Electricity (Supply) Acts to appoint an arbiter on a proper application being made, I am advised that I am not in a position to require immediate reference of the matter in dispute to arbitration. I informed the company accordingly and they will consider forthwith the appropriate further procedure.