§ Mr. MARKHAMasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware that in the neighbouring boroughs of Chatham and Gillingham, both supplied with electricity from the Kent Electric Power Company, two distinct scales of charges are in operation with the result that residents in Chatham pay considerably more than residents in Gillingham; and 824W will he take steps to equalise the charges to the residents in both districts;
(2) whether he will take steps to see that the inhabitants of the Dorland estate, in the borough of Chatham, who are supplied with electricity from Gillingham mains may be charged at the Gillingham electricity rates instead of the Rochester rates?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONWith regard to the first question, I understand that negotiations are at present taking place between the Kent Electric Power Company and the borough councils of Chatham and Rochester with regard to the supply of electricity in those boroughs, including an offer by the company to charge the same rates as operate in Gillingham. These negotiations are not yet concluded. With regard to the second question, the supply to the Dorland Estate will be given by the company at the same rates as prevail in Gillingham. Any supply at present being given to this estate from the Gillingham mains is in the nature of a temporary arrangement between the company and the corporation.