§ Order for Third Reading read.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 3a."—(The Earl of Morley).
* THE EARL OF CEAWFORDI do not rise to oppose the Third Reading of this Bill, nor shall I oppose the other Electric Lighting Provisional Orders Bills which are on the Paper; but I wish to say that, although very great care has been exercised in the drawing up of these Bills, still I have no doubt whatsoever that in a certain time we shall have to come to you again for amendments in certain portions of the Bills. The parts that I refer to are those dealing with the meter clauses and the testing clauses which, in my opinion and that of those who have had anything to do with electric lighting, are absolutely unworkable. The whole of them were drawn up in the year 1883, within a year of the commencement of legislation on this subject. They have been copied verbatim almost into the present Orders. We—I speak now for those who are undertakers under the Bill—have at no time attempted to modify them in any way, simply because no person knows how to modify them. They are quite unworkable, and although great care has been disposed upon them, I think it right at this stage to say that they must not be regarded as final.
THE EARL OF LIMERICKI presume my noble Friend will not expect me to make any remarks on what he has said. He will remember that these were opposed Bills; that they were considered in the Private Bill Committee of your Lordships' House, of which I had the honour to be Chairman. I believe I may say that this question of meter was not raised before the Committee, and I think, as my noble Friend says, it is a question for the future.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read 3a (according to order) and passed and sent to the Commons.