§ MR. EASTWICKsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether a Memorial from the Vicar, Churchwardens, Medical Practitioners, and other Inhabitants of Barking, in the county of Essex, calling attention to the present condition of the River Thames in consequence of the discharge of sewage through the main outfall sewers of the Metropolitan Board of Works, and praying that the subject of the Memorial may be taken into consideration, and that Her Majesty's Attorney General may be instructed to apply to the Court of Chancery for an injunction against the Metropolitan Board of Works to restrain them from discharging the sewage of London into the River Thames, has been presented at the Homo Office; and, if so, whether any steps have been or are to be taken in consequence; and, whether copies of the Memorial in question will be distributed amongst Members?
MR. BRUCEsaid, in reply, that a Memorial of the nature described by the hon. Member had been received by the Home Office, and, in consequence, an inquiry had been directed to be made into the allegations it contained. When the Report was made, it would be for the Home Office to determine what steps should be taken to abate the nuisance, if such were proved to exist. There 261 would be no objection to produce the Memorial if the hon. Member would move for it.