§ MR. AGAR-ELLISasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What steps he has taken, or is about to take, to remedy the defects of the Metropolis Water Act of 1871, as the constant supply Clause has proved to be altogether inoperative for ensuring a constant high-pressure service of water for fires in the metropolis?
§ MR. STANSFELD,in reply, said, he had taken no steps in the matter. The state of the law was, that it rested with the Metropolitan Board of Works, in the first instance, to require a constant supply of water, and if they refused to make the request, or there was any unreasonable delay in making it, the Local Government Board might require the thing to be done. He was not aware that any action had been taken by the Metropolitan Board in the case referred to in the Question but if there were any unreasonable delay in the matter, the Local Government Board would have to consider what course it was desirable to pursue.