One of the most important trends in post-war Britain was the extension of the number and variety of public service undertakings. Originally published in 1933, this title indicated the empirical nature and recent importance of British public utility development at the time, being the first study, which dealt with this trend in a comprehensive manner. For completeness to the book and also providing a suitable background, the local utility services water, gas, transport, docks, and harbors have been considered.

The author felt the trends of recent years made a rediscovery of political economy imperative and urgent. This study was an effort to reunite economics, public administration, law, and philosophy in the consideration of British public utilities.