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3. That in the opinion of this Conference the telephone service is of such general
public importance, and calculated to become of such general benefit, that it ought no
longer to remain exclusively in the hands of a trading corporation, but be worked by
the Government as a part of the Postal service of the countiy.
4. That in the event of the Post Office not undertaking a telephone service, it is
desirable that the Local and Central Authorities of the London telephone district should
at once combine to secure an efficient and cheap municipal telephone service.
5. That the Chair-man of the Highways Committee of the London County Council be
requested to place the views of the Conference as indicated in the foregoing resolutions
before the Select Committee of the House of Commons.
The question of the supply of electrical energy in bulk was also discussed, and resolutions
passed as under: —
1. That this Conference regards it as essential to the interests of London as a whole
that the present purchase clause of the Electric Lighting Acts which applies to defined
areas should also be made to apply to such companies as propose to supply electrical
energy in bulk to the whole of London without regard to area. ,
2. That while preserving intact the rights of the Local Authorities with regard to
electric lighting and energy, in the opinion of this Conference it is desirable that the
London County Council should be in a position to undertake, if it so determine, and if so
requested by the Local Authority, the supply of electrical energy in bulk for the convenience
of any districts desiring to be so supplied, provided that the Council does not
become competitive with the Local Authority.
3. That in the opinion of this Conference power should be retained by the Local
Authority to object to overhead wires for traction purposes, and to have a provisional
veto against the granting of an order to any private company.
4. That with reference to question 1—
Whether, notwithstanding the provisions of section 12 (1) of the Electric Lighting
Act, 1882, powers should be given in any cases for acquiring land compulsorily for generating
stations, and if so, under what conditions as respects liability for nuisance,
notices to surrounding owners and otherwise.