§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will now communicate to the House the purport of his promised Report on the subject of the alleged emission of noisome smoke from the "Destructor" belonging to the Commissioners of Sewers of the City of London, and situated at Lett's Wharf, Lambeth; and what action does he propose to take in the matter?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE,) Tower Hamlets, St. George'sI have to-day received a Report from Mr. Fletcher, one of the Inspectors of the Local Government Board, on this subject. The wharf referred to is used as a place of deposit for the contents of dustbins, market refuse, &c. After some separation by hand sorting, the combustible part of the refuse is burnt in a furnace or destructor. If this refuse were wholly burnt, Mr. Fletcher reports that there would be no smell from it; but, from the construction of the apparatus, he considers there is reason to believe that some of the sickly smelling steam and smoke, which rise from the material as heating commences before active combustion is set in, passes up the chimney. He considers that this might be remedied by the erection of a combustion chamber, which could be kept 54 throughout at a strong red heat, so that the gases, when led through it, would be completely burnt. The Inspector has communicated with the Deputy Engineer of the City Commissioners, who has promised that this proposal shall receive consideration. I will also communicate with the Commissioners of Sewers on the subject.