§ A Bill to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts, 1882 and 1888, relating to the City of London—Was presented by the Lord Balfour.
* THE SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Lord BALFOUR of BURLEIGH)My Lords, I beg to present a Bill to confirm certain Provisional Orders which have been made by the Board of Trade under the Electric Lighting Acts relating to the City of London; and, in pursuance of the notice which stands in my name on the Paper, I have to ask the House to suspend the Sessional Order of the 10th March last, and to allow the Bill to be read a first time. The circumstances are these: The Brush Electric Engineering Company and another syndicate applied for Provisional Orders, authorising them to supply electricity in the City of London. At first the Local Authority, that body being the Commissioners of Sewers, objected to it, but after a time they agreed to let certain portions of the City be so supplied under an agreement with the parties concerned. The agreement was 310 not one which the Board of Trade Could make the subject of a Provisional Order, and, therefore, all the complicated arrangements which are necessitated in adjusting a Provisional Order had to be gone through. Although the period of the year was somewhat late, the Board of Trade, desiring to carry out the wishes expressed, thought it was their duty to proceed with the Order. It took somewhat longer than was anticipated, but it has been completed, and under all the circumstances, and, as I may say, this will be the last time I shall have to ask your Lordships for indulgence in regard to the Sessional Orders this year, I hope your Lordships will agree to suspend the Sessional Order and to read the Bill a first time.
Moved, "That the Sessional Order of the 10th of March last, 'That no Bill originating in this House confirming any Provisional Order or Provisional Certificate shall be read a first time after Friday, the 16th day of May nex,' be dispensed within respect of the said Bill, and that the Bill be now read la; agreed to; Bill read la accordingly; to be printed; and referred to the Examiners.