§ LORD ROBERT GR0SVENORSir, it will be in the recollection of the House, that last year a Committee was appointed, to whom all the propositions with regard to supplying the metropolis with water were referred. After a very long, patient, and laborious investigation, that Committee made a Report, and the result was, that a Bill was brought in, giving power to the old water companies to continue to supply the metropolis with water, upon their undertaking to reduce their rates, and to layout a large sum of money in making certain improvements. Until they had an opportunity of proving whether or not they intended to perform those conditions, it was proposed that those old companies should have a sort of monopoly in supplying the metropolis with water, but no such stipulation was inserted in the Bill of last year. At all events it was understood that no new Bill should be introduced into Parliament the object of which would be to interfere with their privileges, until it was seen to what extent the old companies would meet the wish of the Legislature. From a conversation which took place the other day on the London Waterworks Bill, it transpired that the opinion that such delay should take place in favour of the old companies was shared in by the Chairman of the Committee of last year, and also by Her Majesty's late Government. On that occasion I took the liberty of requesting that some member of the Government would inform the House what is the opinion of Her Majesty's present Government with respect to this important question. It so happened on that occasion that no member of the Government was present, and I therefore gave notice of the question which stands on the paper in my name, to the following effect:—"What are the intentions of the Government with 1384 regard to Bills for the Supply of Water to the Metropolis, introduced or to be introduced in the present Session?" I now take the liberty of putting that question to my noble Friend at the head of the Home Office, and I hope that his answer will be satisfactory to all parties interested in this subject.
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONsaid, that undoubtedly there was no positive stipulation between Parliament and the existing water companies, which should preclude the House from dealing as it might think fit with any Bill for establishing any new water company which might be brought in this year, or at any other time. But if he were asked what the opinion of the Government was on the subject with regard to the expediency and discretion on the part of Parliament, he should say, that the Act of last year having imposed upon the existing water companies the obligation of undertaking large works, which could only be executed at very great expense, and there being, apparently, reason to think that, if those works were executed in the manner prescribed, and the supply of water was given in accordance with the provisions of the Act, there was a reasonable probability that the metropolis might be supplied with good water, he should say, on the part of the Government, that they would recommend the House to abstain from establishing any new company until the existing companies had had a fair trial as to whether they could or could not accomplish the purposes under the provisions of the Act for which that Act was obtained.