§ 29. Mr. DORANasked the Minister of Transport whether he will obtain from the Croydon Corporation a complete statement of moneys held by their electricity undertaking from the 5s. deposits from consumers; the amount of this 1039 money, or interest thereon, which has been returned to depositors and the amount by which the rates have benefited from this source of income; whether he will also inquire why consumers are only given 48 hours in which to pay their bills, failing which they are immediately cut off; and whether he will state the number of consumers who, having been cut off, have had to pay a further 5s. deposit, plus 2s. 6d. for working labour
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI will with pleasure endeavour to ascertain how far the Corporation can supply my hon. Friend with the information he desires.
§ 31. Mr. BERNAYSasked the Minister of Transport whether, following on the recent failure of the system of electric supply in London, he will consider legislation making it compulsory for hospitals, theatres, and other public buildings to instal an emergency automatic system?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI understand that the licensing authority ordinarily make it a condition of the licence that in places of public entertainment there shall be a system of dual lighting. I would not feel justified at this moment in interfering with the discretion of hospitals, who being aware of their own needs, would naturally provide for them to the full extent of their economic resources.