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60. As there were provisions in the Bill to the effect that the
system of electrical traction should be such as should be approved
by the road authority and the Board of Trade, and that where the
consent or approval of the road authority was required for the
exercise of any powers by the County Council such consent or
approval should not be unreasonably withheld, the difference in
case of dispute to be referred to arbitration, this Council presented
a petition to the House of Lords against the Bill and the
County Council subsequently undertook to withdraw these provisions
and to insert a clause to the same effect as section 23 of
the Electrical Power Act, 1900, which provides that overhead
traction can only be used for the tramways within the provisions
of that Act with the consent of the road authority. The
petition was thereupon withdrawn and the Bill as amended received
the Royal assent on the 4th August, 1906.
London County
Council (General
Powers).
61. This Bill would authorise the County Council to establish
and maintain, or to contribute towards the
cost of or otherwise aid in establishing and maintaining
an ambulance service for dealing with cases of accident,
or sickness in streets or public places in London, and for that
purpose to hold and use lands or buildings for the time being
vested in the Council, to take on lease or acquire lands or buildings
within the County, to erect, maintain, repair, and manage on
lands so appropriated or acquired any buildings suitable for the
purpose, and to adapt, furnish, and equip such buildings, and to
provide for the establishment and maintenance of telegraphic,
telephonic, or other suitable means of communication between
such buildings and other parts of the County. Power was also
sought to enable the Council to provide ambulances and other
vehicles to be drawn by hand, animal, electrical, or other
mechanical power, and to employ and pay such officers and servants
as the Council might think expedient for the efficient co.nduct
of the service.
62. The Bill would also authorise the Councils of Metropolitan
Boroughs who are authorised to supply and are supplying
electrical energy to expend money upon wiring, fitting, and supplying
with wires, fittings, and apparatus the premises of their
customers or prospective customers, to enter into agreements
with respect thereto and to make such charges therefor directly
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