View report page

53
capricious or arbitrary use of such power. There were, however,
two amendments to which the Vestry attached much
importance: a declaration that the granting of the Order conferred
no monopoly, but that the Vestry should be free to
assent to the introduction of a competing undertaking, and,
secondly, a clause to prevent amalgamation between competing
undertakings without the consent of the Vestry. Upon
the first point, the Board of Trade had already declared that
a competing undertaking might be introduced if the original
undertakers did not fully carry out their obligations, but it
appeared to the Vestry most desirable to retain the power of
introducing competition, irrespective of any such condition,
•even if it were not found necessary to use it.
After carefully considering the views of the Vestry, the
Board of Trade, by letter, dated the 19th May, stated that—
"It is quite clear that the grant of a Provisional Order or Licence
under the Electric Lighting Act confers no monopoly upon the
undertakers ; and they (the Board) are of opinion that no
clause of the nature of that suggested could be framed which
would not have the effect of limiting the right of competition
which exists without such a clause, and which the Board of
Trade, equally with the Local Authorities, are anxious to preserve.
"In these circumstances the Board of Trade are unable to agree to
the insertion of any such clause.
"They wish it, however, to be distinctly understood that the
present Order, if granted and confirmed, will in no way
restrict or impede the Local Authorities, should they desire
under any circumstances either to apply themselves for a
Provisional Order or Licence, or to support such an application
if made by another body of undertakers, and that the Board of
Trade reserve to themselves the full right of considering any
such application, by whomsoever made and whatever may be
the position of the present undertaking.