§ MR. JOHN LOCKEsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether the Metropolitan Board have commenced the construction of Low Level Sewers for the purpose of preventing the sewage of the metropolis from passing into the river Thames; or whether, on the contrary, they are merely proceeding with High Level Sewers, in order to divert the water from brooks and rivulets, and also the rain water, from passing into the river through the present sewers.
MR. FITZROYsaid, the Department with which he was connected had no control whatever over the Metropolitan Board of Works as to the drainage of the metropolis. The whole jurisdiction, superintendence, and construction of those works was vested exclusively in the Board by Act of Parliament. But not to be wanting in courtesy to the he n. and learned Gentleman (Mr. Locke), he had put himself in communication with the Chairman of the Board of Works on this subject, and had received from him the following statement, which he would read to the House:—
The Board have commenced the intercepting scheme by the construction of the high level sewers, in order to divert the flood waters from the lower districts and to facilitate the construction of the low level sewers. They are deeply impressed with the necessity for affording the earliest possible relief to those districts, as well as of diverting the whole of the sewage from the river without any avoidable delay, and have therefore, directed their attention to providing the engines and machinery for raising the sewage, without which it would be impossible for the low level sewers to perform their office. They have further ordered the immediate preparation of the contract drawings for the southern outfall sewer, into which the contents of the low level sewer will have to be pumped, and have instructed their engineer to lay before them some suggestions for affording immediate relief to the localities referred to pending the execution of the permanent works,