SIR UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTHasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he can inform the House regarding "The Pollution of Rivers Act, 1876;" how many summary orders requiring offenders to discontinue pollution have been made by county courts; in how many cases local authorities have taken proceedings to enforce the Act; and in what parts of the country the Act has been put into operation?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTH, in reply, said, he could not state, because there was no information at his disposal, what were the number of orders which had been made by the County Courts, nor in how many cases proceedings had been, taken to enforce the Act referred to. He knew, however, that proceedings had been instituted in many districts. In three cases of those which had been dealt with by the Local Government Board the Inspectors had received applications for certificates that all practicable means had been adopted to prevent pollution; but these certificates they had refused to give. In eight cases applications had been received for extension of time to do the necessary work. In three extensions had been granted, and others were under consideration. The Act was in operation in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Kent, and other counties. It was, in fact, becoming well understood, and was being brought into operation in the way which was contemplated by the Government when they brought forward the Act.