ABSTRACT

The metropolitan gas supply was appallingly bad throughout the 19th century; but when electricity came into practical use in the 1890's, the disadvantages which had been shown to result from the private ownership of public utilities in the case of gas and water did not induce Parliament to authorise the London County Council to provide a municipal service, although the Progressives at County Hall were very keen on all the utility undertakings in London being municipally owned and operated.