67. Mr. Duncanasked the Minister of Transport whether he has now considered the report for which he asked, regarding the increases in charges proposed by the Notting Hill Electric Lighting Company; and what action he proposes to take?
§ The Minister of Transport (Captain Wallace)Yes, Sir. The Electricity Commissioners have carefully examined the detailed estimates of income and expenditure, and supporting data, upon which the Notting Hill Electric Lighting Company, Limited, have based their increased charges. The Commissioners have advised me that they see no reason to take exception to the estimates, which make no provision for earning any dividend on the 6 per cent. cumulative preference shares of the company or any dividend on the ordinary shares. In all the circumstances, I do not see any grounds for intervening; I have, however, asked the Electricity Commissioners to review the position at the end of June.
Mr. DuncanWhile thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for his reply, may I take it that the consumers of electricity under this company are not precluded from making representation, as was promised a few weeks ago, in regard to individual cases?
§ Captain WallaceCertainly not. I shall be very glad to consider individual cases.
§ Sir Percy HarrisCould not arrangements be made to merge some of these small, inefficient companies into bigger units, so that consumers may get bigger and cheaper supplies?
§ Captain WallaceThat is an entirely different, and a very much larger, question.