§ Sir W. SUGDENasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will cause orders to be laid to enable the Electricity Commissioners to bring electrical current by the most economic method, namely, overhead, as otherwise many urban districts containing many industrial manufacturers who desire to substitute electrical power for steam can never hope to do so?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYI have been asked to reply as the powers of the Board of Trade under the Electricity (Supply) Acts are now vested in the Minister of Transport. The Minister has no power to make Orders to enable the Electricity Commissioners to carry out works for the supply of electricity. The general supply of electricity is undertaken by local bodies, the authority for granting powers in that behalf being vested in the Electricity Commissioners. Before the supply authority can transmit electricity by means of overhead lines they must first get the consent of the Minister to the placing of such lines, and this consent is invariably given where a good case is made out.