Abstract
THE report of the Committee on Electricity Distribution has now been published (Ministry of Transport. London: H.M. Stationery Office. 2s. net). The chairman was Sir Harry McGowan, and Sir John Snell was a member of the Committee. The evidence, some of which was conflicting, has all been carefully considered, and definite recommendations are given which seem thoroughly justified. The Committee does not suggest nationalization or the setting up of a Distribution Commission. It advises a reduction in the present number of undertakings by amalgamating the smaller and less efficient stations with the larger ones. It is stated that any attempt to carry through a scheme of re-organization on a voluntary basis is bound to fail, and legislation must confer definite and adequate compulsory powers. The schemes of re-organization should make provision for the possibility of ultimate public ownership of all undertakings, including those not at present subject to purchase by the local authorities. It is proposed that no undertakings should be transferred compulsorily under a scheme of re-organization without a prior local investigation. To this end the Electricity Commissioners should be empowered to delimit the country into a number of areas and to appoint for each area a temporary district com-missioner, with such technical and financial assistance as may be necessary. The district commissioner would bring under review all electric undertakings in his area. The Electricity Commissioners, after publishing a scheme and considering any representa-tions, should be empowered to approve it and, if agreed, it should become operative at once.
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Electricity Distribution in Great Britain. Nature 138, 69–70 (1936). https://doi.org/10.1038/138069b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/138069b0