HC Deb 02 June 1937 vol 324 cc1013-5
60. Mr. Graham White

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will have a copy of the Memorandum on the McGowan Report, which was submitted to the electricity supply undertakings, placed in the Library of the House; and whether he will state to whom the document was sent?

Mr. Burgin

The memorandum in question having been a confidential document circulated to interests concerned, I am unable to accede to the suggestions of the hon. Member.

Mr. White

Does my right hon. Friend propose to take any other way of informing the House as to the Government's views on the McGowan Report?

Mr. H. Morrison

Is the Minister aware that a summary of this document has already been published in a morning newspaper which is in close touch with the Conservative Central Office, and if it was published in that paper, why cannot the House have it?

Mr. Burgin

It will be apparent to the House that negotiations must occasionally take place with interests concerned, and that the whole conduct of those negotiations would be affected if their confidential character were changed. This confidential document has been circulated to interested parties and negotiations are pending as a result. In due time a communication will be made, but I beg the House not to affect prejudicially negotiations which are proceeding satisfactorily and which are of a confidential character.

Mr. White

Is the Minister fully seized of the fact that communications from these interested parties and even resolutions are being sent to Members of the House who are thus placed in a very awkward position?

Sir Percy Harris

Is not the public interest the most important interest to be considered?

Mr. H. Morrison

Why should a Conservative morning newspaper have this document and publish a summary of it, when Members of the House are denied access to it?

Mr. Burgin

I do not accept the statement at all that any newspaper has had it.

Mr. Morrison

The "Daily Telegraph."

Mr. Burgin

Certain information purporting to be extracts from the document has appeared in the Press, but it is neither complete, nor, as far as I know, accurate. I must adhere to the condition, which I ask the House to accept, that confidential negotiations are taking place, and that they will be prejudicially affected if there is complete publication of the document.

61. Mr. Duggan

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make representations to the London Associated Electricity Undertakings, Limited, that they are not carrying out the recommendations in the McGowan Report in regard to uniformity of tariffs; and whether he is aware that the ordinary lighting rate of this voluntarily formed group of companies varies from 3½d. to 4½d. per unit?

Mr. Burgin

I understand that the London Associated Electricity Undertakings, Limited, have introduced new tariffs which bring about a greater measure of uniformity than hitherto in the areas of the constituent companies. While the alternative flat rates for lighting vary between the different areas, as indicated by the hon. Member, there is a common domestic two-part tariff available in all the areas.

Mr. Bellenger

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the two-part tariff which this company offers, is much higher than other two-part tariffs in other quarters?