§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the President of the Local Government Board, in regard to the Gas Companies (Standard Burner) Bills, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, whether he is aware that, under the Acts and Orders relating to such companies, the local authorities are charged with the making of the official tests; whether he has any official information showing that if the Bills are passed the gas supplied will be of a considerably lower illuminating and calorific power; whether he is aware that the fact of grouping in one Bill the proposals of a large number of companies renders it practically impossible for each local authority to put before the Committee the grounds of their objection to the Bill as affecting the particular company supplying their locality; and whether any local authorities have lodged objection to the Bills?
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Mr. BUXTONMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The testing of gas is in the hands of local authorities, subject to the provisions of the Gasworks Clauses Act, 1871, and of the local Acts and Orders relating to the respective companies. I have no official information as to what will be the effect of these Bills if they become law. I understand that various local authorities opposed the Bills before the Committee to which they were referred, and I have seen the Reports from the Committee, which state that in the opinion of the Committee "the inclusion of several cases in the Bill did not present any difficulty in the submission separately of any of the cases in opposition."