LONDON'S ELECTRIC SUPPLY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13942, 29 June 1907, Page 9

LONDON'S ELECTRIC SUPPLY

A BILL REJECTED,

Pros.? Aewciation-By Telegraph-Copyright.

LONDON, June 27. The House Committee rejected the London County C'ouncil'6 new Electrical Energy Bill, representing the viows of the Moderates.

In tho courso of a discussion by {.ho London County Council on the elcctrio supply question, tho Hon. W. E. Peel brought up a recommendation from tho lar lainentary Committee that tho second reading of tho Electric Supply Bill of the lato council should 'bo supported with a view to securing an arrangement untlor which prirato enterprise undertakes, subject lo the control of tho council, tho businesa of the supply of eloctricat energy. Mr Peel said tho problem was very difficult, but that if they dropped tho bill now it would bo impossible to get through any hill during tile lifo of tho present council. In tho Houso of Commons they nnd a, hostile majority, and they had to consider the strong recommendation of last year's committco that this matter should not. bo hung up. If they accepted this bill and worked it through privato enterprise they would have kepi their election pledges. Tlik'.v would take care to t-ccuro lioth t.'no consumers and the public. Mr M'Kinnon Wood moved an amendment asking that, tho words stating why tho second rending was supported should be taken out. of tho resolution. Referring to Mr Peel's fear regarding tho majority of_ ;-ho presort IIou?<j of Commons, Mr said that Jio remembered many times when tho last House of Commons had boon none too friendly to tho London County Council.—(Laughter.) Sir Melvill Beaohcroft, for instance, would remember that tho AY ate r Board was created in abfolute defiance of tho wishes of the council. For his part, he would not follow that example. Perhaps the council did not realise how enormous was ita own interest as the tramway authority in the electricity supply. That interest km equal to the present output of all the borough councils, and by 1915 would be equal to the output of all the present companies. Ho and his party objected to making the proposals subordinate to the consideration that private enterprise must tinder any circumstances manage this business. Mr Pool: We have not said that. Mr Wood was clad to hear it. If tho council was not being committed then tliov were doing a wise thing. The amendment wa.i sccondcd. by Mr Shepheard, but Mr Robinson, the Moderate leader, declined to accept tho amendment. _ Captain ITemphill offered strong opposition to Imndinq the bulk supply oyer to a company. They could not control dividends, for when thoy did tho company would water its canital.

The amendment was lest by 74 to 39. and the recommendation of tho committee was approved.