§ MR. GILESasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether his attention has been drawn to a Resolution of the Lower Thames Valley Main Sewerage Board (carried by the casting vote of the Chairman at a meeting held on the 18th instant), to apply for a Provisional Order to enable them to dispose of the sewage of the united district upon land near Molesey, in defiance of the vote of this House rejecting that scheme on the 7th of March last; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action thereon?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTHSir, I have seen a statement to the effect referred to in the newspapers, and I have no doubt it is the fact. But I am not aware that the action taken has been in defiance of the vote of the House rejecting that scheme. One of the main arguments which caused the House to reject the scheme was that it would have been within the power of the Sewerage Board to apply for a Provisional Order to carry out their wishes. If such a course be persevered in, the Local Government Board will cause full investigation into the facts to be made before granting the Provisional Order. Should they decide to grant that Order, it will, of course, come before the House, and a full opportunity will be given for its discussion.