MR. TATTON EGERTONasked the President of the Local Government 1472 Board, Whether he is aware that immediately adjoining the open filter beds of the Southwark Water Company a dust and ashes contractor sifts the contents of dustbins; and, whether he will., take steps to prevent a practice so dangerous to the health of the population?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLSir, the Board, so long ago as 1872, became aware that there was a dust yard in the immediate vicinity of filter beds of the Southwark and Vauxhall Water Company at Battersea, and that at this yard dry house refuse was sifted. The Board directed one of their Inspectors to inquire and report to them on the subject, and his Report was brought under the attention of Parliament by its presentation as a Parliamentary Return. The Board, however, have no power vested in them which would enable them to require the Company to discontinue the use of their filter beds at Battersea, or the dust contractor to discontinue the use of his dust yard. The Board will, however, bring the subject again under the attention of the Company.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREsaid, as it was desirable that all filth should be cleared away in London, perhaps the President of the Local Government Board would say whether it would be possible to see that the dust contractors did their duty in the different parishes? He believed that by most of the contracts they were required to call every day; but they certainly did not do so, and frequently the dustmen did not call at all unless they were "tipped."
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKE, in reply, said, this matter was one absolutely within the control of the local sanitary authorities, and all the Local Government Board could do in extreme cases would be to issue a Circular reminding them of their duty. Their attention had already been called to this and other matters in a Circular from the Board. If an epidemic were to break out it was possible that the Board might be able to interfere under the provisions of the Diseases Prevention Act of 1855.