§ MR. LOCKEasked the honourable and gallant Member for Truro, If steps have been or are about to be taken by the Metropolitan Board of Works to prevent a recurrence of the serious losses occasioned to the inhabitants of the borough of South wark by the periodical inundation of the River Thames?
SIR JAMES HOGGIn reply to the Question of the hon. Member, I beg to state that the Metropolitan Board of Works some months ago prepared a Bill to submit to Parliament, with a view, as far as practicable, to prevent inundations of the Thames. The Bill had to be much considered with regard to the general legislation of the country, as well as to the rights and obligations of owners of properties, and extremely opposite views were taken as to the mode of dealing with the question. These difficulties have caused such delay that it would be hopeless to attempt to proceed with any Bill in the present Session; but the Board will still continue to give attention to the subject, and I trust that some effectual means may be found of remedying the evils complained of.