MR. PRICEasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he has any information with regard to the operation of the Canal Boats Act of 1877, especially in reference to the registration of canal boats; and, whether he has reason to believe that the boat owners and the local sanitary authorities are generally endeavouring to carry out the provisions of the Act?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTH, in reply, said, he had not sufficient official information to enable him to answer the Question with precision. He knew, however, that in many parts of England the operation of the Act was represented as satisfactory, and he was told that in others that was not the case. The severe weather of the last few months might have had some effect in the matter. It should also be remembered that the Regulations were not laid on the Table until last June. He should shortly make inquiry of the various registration authorities, and would then be happy to render any information which the Department obtained on the subject accessible to the hon. Gentleman.