§ MR. FIRTHasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether 319 his attention has been drawn to the fact that every month reports of London analysts, on the character of London water, purporting to be addressed to him, are widely circulated, although, as stated last year in the House, they are neither authorised nor paid for by the Local Government Board, but are authorised and paid for by the London Water Companies; and, whether, as such a form of report is calculated to mislead the public, and to give an appearance of official authenticity which is not consistent with fact, he will either decline to receive any more of such reports, or require their form to be modified?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, as was stated last year by my right lion. Friend, these Reports are not made under the authority of the Local Government Board. It must, therefore, be presumed they are made on behalf of, and at the expense of, the Water Companies. I agree with my hon. Friend in thinking that such Reports, purporting to be addressed to the President of the Local Government Board, are misleading, and I should expect that after this expression of opinion they would be discontinued.