§ MR. RITCHIEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he proposes to introduce a Bill for dealing with the Metropolitan Water Supply this Session; and, if so, when?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTSir, in answer to the Question of the hon. Member, I have to say that the Committee of 1880 on the Water Supply came to the unanimous resolution that the question of the Water Supply of London, both in respect of cost and quality, was a matter which could only 382 be dealt with by a Body representative of the ratepayers of London, and was not a question with which any Government should deal. It is the expectation and the hope of the Government, if the House should approve the measure which they intend to submit to it with reference to the extension of the Municipal Government of London, that such a Body will be created as will be able to deal with this as with all other questions of interest to the inhabitants of London.
§ MR. RITCHIEwished to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman, whether he did not, in the early part of last Session, give Notice of his intention, at as early a date as possible, to introduce a Bill dealing with the question of the Water Supply of the Metropolis?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTThat is so, Sir. Last year, but for circumstances with which the House is familiar, I hoped to introduce a Bill creating the Water Authorities recommended by the Committee of 1880; but it is quite obvious that if the Government intend to create a Municipal Government for London, it would be idle to create a separate and independent Body for the purpose of the Water Supply. Therefore, as the Government have undertaken the larger task, which involves the lesser, of course they will not attempt to create an independent authority.
§ MR. RITCHIEbegged to give Notice that, on the earliest occasion he could find, he should call attention to the neglect of the interests of the inhabitants of the Metropolis in this matter by the Government, as shown by the continued delay in dealing with this question.