HC Deb 14 August 1878 vol 242 cc1947-8
MR. FAWCETT

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether his attention has been called to the near- lected and dirty condition in which Lower Thames Street has for some time past been permitted to remain; and whether, as the City Commissioners of Sewers have failed to give any attention to the repeated complaints that have been made to them on the subject, he can take any action in the matter?

MR. SCLATER-BOOTH

Sir, in reply to the hon. Gentleman's first Question, I must say that my attention has not been called to the condition of Lower Thames Street, except by the present inquiry. As regards the second Question, in which it is assumed that the Commissioners of Sewers have failed to give attention to complaints made to them on the subject, I have received a communication from the Commissioners in which, while it is admitted that the condition of Lower Thames Street is not all that could be desired, statements are made which go far to show that it has engaged their special and serious attention. They say that they have issued instructions to their officers to pay particular attention to this street; that the police have been requested to prevent refuse being thrown into the public road; that detectives have been employed to watch offenders, who, by their evidence, have been convicted; and that the whole street is swept twice a-day, and frequently washed and sprinkled with deodorants. It is further said that the spot most complained of is immediately opposite the Custom House, to remedy which structural alterations are required, which cannot be effected without the consent of the First Commissioner of Works. That consent, however, has been obtained. With regard to his inquiry whether I can take action in the matter, I may refer the hon. Gentleman to the 49th section of the Sanitary Act, 1866, by which it is provided that in case of neglect of duty by a nuisance authority, such as are the Commissioners of Sewers in the City of London, complaint may be made to the Secretary of State—that is, as the law now stands, to the Local Government Board—who are invested with the necessary powers of dealing with such a case.