§ 29. Sir EDWARD CAMPBELLasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the chief engineer of the London and Home Counties Joint Elec- 1169 tricity Authority has been retained by the Margate Corporation to advise them on the question of the charges made by the Isle of Thanet Electric Supply Company, Limited, for electricity supplied in the borough; and whether it is with his sanction that a highly-paid official of a joint electricity authority, whose expenses are defrayed in part by the authorised undertakers within the district of the joint authority, is to act in a professional capacity for other bodies in competition with the members of the Association of Consulting Engineers, who have to provide their own offices and staff?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe London and Home Counties Joint Electricity Authority is a statutory body and has a right to appoint its own officers and to decide on the terms and conditions of such appointments. No sanction on my hon. Friend's part is required.
§ Sir E. CAMPBELLWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman kindly look into the question once again and consider whether something should not be done in the matter, as this seems to be a gross injustice, and not in the interest of the public?
§ Lieut.-Golonel HEADLAMI am afraid it is no affair of my hon. Friend's but I appreciate the point of view put forward by the hon. Member.
Captain BALFOURIs the Minister aware that the Margate corporation knows its own business best as regards its action in this matter?