Orders of the Day — ELECTRICITY (SUPPLY) BILL [Lords].

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 25 Gorffennaf 1922.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Frederick Macquisten Mr Frederick Macquisten , Glasgow Springburn

I do not think the explanation given by the Parliamentary Secretary is satisfactory. In the ordinary course the undertakers, the wholesalers, as they have been called by the hon. Member for Mossley (Mr. Hopkinson), go to the producing concern, and ask the price of electricity for the coming year. A figure is named, and the undertaker fixes his price to his customers accordingly. He renders his accounts, and these accounts are discharged. Is is to be suggested that, at the end of the year, the producer may go to the wholesaler, and say, "In fixing that price I made a mistake, and I am going to take something more?" Thereupon the wholesaler will turn round and say, "I have sold the stock to my customers, based upon your price, and I have no money to give you." He cannot open up the accounts again; there is no provision made for going to the retail customers. If there was even that, there would be justice in it; if the undertaker could go to the customer any say, "You have had my electricity and the benefit of it, but it was too cheap, and I want something more to meet the demands which are being made upon me."