§ Mr. ALFRED DAVIES (Clitheroe)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a petition from ratepayers in Ryde, Isle of Wight, appealing for a revision of the charges made by the Ryde Gas Light Company on the ground that they are excessive; and whether he is giving this matter his careful consideration?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANYes, Sir. The price which the company are charging for gas was authorised by the Board of Trade after careful consideration of the circumstances of the undertaking, and is estimated to be not more than sufficient to enable the company to pay a dividend of 3¾ per cent., which is ¾ of their standard dividend. If the profit earned by the company is in excess of the amount required to pay this dividend it will be necessary for the Board of Trade to reconsider the matter, with a view to reducing the price.