3
Companies through such a merger.
On the whole it seems definitely a one-
an emergency.
sided position whereby each Company possesses a
de facto monopoly in its own sphere, and yet does
not attempt to afford the public in return any
assurance of continuity of supply in the event of
It would be manifestly in the public
interest to have such an assurance, however, and I
therefore venture to suggest that it would not be
unreasonable to compel the Companies to lay down
the line particularly if, as would also seem
reasonable, Government agreed to contribute a certain
amount towards the cost on the ground that its
installation was a matter of considerable interest
to Government from the defence point of view.
If such compulsion were legally and
practically possible and were actually imposed, the
Companies would perhaps raise their charges to
consumers in order to recoup themselves, in which
case the public would have to pay; but as it is
also in the public interest, I should think that
this might be justified provided it took place over
a longish period.
In spite of the difficulties it does seem
a thing which ought obviously to be done, from every
point of view.
However, in the first place we should ?
refer the matter to the Board of Trade asking for
obsons, and for an early reply.
A.N. Galsworthy
17/3
Alaall no