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

That is what he would say, and say justly, and I want the undertaker to be in the same position—to be able to say to the producer, "We paid the price you asked." I submit that the position under the Sob-section, as it stands, is most anomalous. Fancy the belated claims that would come in. No body can possibly fix these charges if they do not know exactly what they themselves will have to pay. If they do not know that they will be helpless, and there will be a continuous resurrection of old accounts. It is all very well to tell us that there is no possible way of meeting the case. In Sub-section (1) of Clause 16 I see the Electricity Commissioners may allow a margin. It is up to the Commissioners to allow such a margin as will enable the joint authority to build up a reserve. They have the control in their own hands. They know what it is going to cost them. They mar make an estimate and arrive at too high a figure, and if they have a substantial surplus, let them keep it to provide for such a contingency as suggested. Are they to come around to a consumer at the eleventh hour, after he has discharged his debt and demand an increased price? Are they to do so, not even at. the eleventh hour, but at the thirteenth hour? It is the case of the unjust steward turned upside down. Are they to come round at the end of the year and say to the consumer, "We are very sorry, old chap, but we want more," and if lie says, "But I have paid according to the figure which was fixed," they can reply, "We cannot help that, we have got power under this Sub-section." That is the business-like proposition that is put before us. I say that the thing cannot hold water for one moment, and I beseech the Parliamentary Secretary to wipe out this Sub-section.