Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 25 Gorffennaf 1922.
Mr. T. THOMSON:
Much as I differ from the hon. Member for Hampstead (Mr. G. Balfour) in the point of view from which he approaches this Bill, I find myself in agreement with him as to the way in which this new Clause has found its way on the Paper. It is most unfortunate that a new Clause such as this should be arranged between interested parties, and not by the Committee as a whole. I can say this the more freely because I happen to have had the honour of an invitation to meet the Parliamentary Secretary and those who were to consider the matter from the point of view of the municipal corporations. I was, however, not able to be present. I think the whole principle of the thing is wrong, that, behind the backs of Standing Committees, those who consider they are specially interested should confer together and table a Clause of this kind. The people chiefly interested were not consulted. The people who are chiefly interested are the consumers, the public: at large. The Parliamentary Secretary met privately members of the power companies, and he also met those representing authorised distributors through the municipal authorities, who look at the matter from their particular point of view, but there were no representatives there who specially represented the public at large, so that the interest of the consumers could be put forward. Therefore I agree with the protest made by the lion. Member for Hampstead, much as if differ with him on the general question.
The Parliamentary Secretary referred to this Clause as being a bargain I know that it is unfortunate for anyone to seek to disagree with a bargain that may have been made between people who are supposed to be specially concerned; but in regard to this particular bargain I must enter my protest, and take what steps I can later, although they may be very ineffectual, in voicing the protests which I raised in Committee in regard to Clause 15. Clause 15 is not now before the House, and, therefore, I shall be out of order in discussing it, but in so far as this new Clause is supposed to remove any objections which I voiced in Committee against Clause 15, I must dissent from accepting the Clause as giving in any way an adequate safeguard in regard to the objections that some of us felt, and still feel, respecting Clause 15. As the Clause stands by itself, it is possibly an improvement on what was in the Bill originally, and possibly an improvement on Clause 14 in the original Act. Therefore, taking the Clause by itself, I think it is one to be welcomed, but I must reserve my right to protest against Clause 15, and to say now that I do not consider that this agreed Clause as between interested parties in any way meets the objections which some of us still feel to Clause 15.