Miss WARD:

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from local authorities deprecating their lack of control over the erection or installation of high-tension electrical devices?

If my hon. Friend will give me information as to what high-tension electrical devices she has in mind I shall be very pleased to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the wide variation between 3d. and 8d. per unit charged for light by the electricity companies in the Metropolitan area; and whether, in the public interest, it is proposed to take steps to bring pressure upon the companies concerned to secure uniformity in charges to the consumer?

I am aware of the lack of uniformity between electricity supply undertakings both municipal and company as to methods and amount of charges throughout the Metropolitan area, although I am not aware of any electrical company undertaking in this area whose charges for lighting alone are either so high or so low as those refered to by my hon. Friend. I should welcome in the public interest as wide a measure of uniformity as practicable, although, of course, it must be realised that charges in any particular case must depend on the nature of the demand and financial position of the undertaking.

Is my hon. Friend aware that we lag behind other European countries in electricity consumption because cheap current is not made available to the public?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some consumers on one side of a street are charged 3d. while consumers on the other side are charged 50 per cent, more, and that the only difference in the supply is that one is municipal and the other comes from a private company?

Cannot the Electricity Commissioners use their powers to bring about uniformity?

No, not in this case.

Is it not time the Minister took steps to enlarge his powers in this matter?