HC Deb 21 August 1883 vol 283 cc1488-9
MR. LABOUCHERE

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he is aware that Kingston, Richmond, and localities in the vicinity of these towns, still discharge their sewage into the Thames, and that this sewage matter floats up and down with the tide, until it is deposited upon the mud banks, which each year are more exposed at low tide, owing to the quantity of water taken from the river by the London Water Companies and the dredging operations of the Conservators; and, whether, in view of the probability of this system of draining producing fever or some other disease, he will take measures to protect the inhabitants of the Low Thames Valley, and those visiting it, from such contingencies?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, the sewage of Kingston, Richmond, and other localities below the intake of the Water Companies is discharged into the Thames. The quantity of the water taken, by the Water Companies is comparatively small. It is estimated to be not more than a seventh of the ordinary dry-weather flow over Teddington Weir, while the volume of the tidal water of spring tides is estimated to be 1,400 times that of the water flowing over the weir. The Lower Thames Valley Main Sewage District, which includes, among other districts, Kingston and Richmond, was constituted by a Provisional Order for the purpose of providing a system of sewerage which would secure the disposal of the sewage without contravening the provisions of the Thames Conservancy Acts. The Board regret that works for this purpose have not been carried out. They have issued a Provisional Order extending for another year the period allowed to the Main Sewerage Board for the performance of their duty, and for protection from liability to prosecution under the Thames Conservancy Acts; but when they intimated their willingness to issue this Order, they stated that, unless they were satisfied before the expiration of this further period that the Main Sewerage Board were taking active steps for carrying out the purposes for which they were constituted, the Board would probably be unwilling to grant any further prolongation of time.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the sewerage of Twickenham? If the smell goes for anything, I should say it was not a success.

SIR. CHARLES W. DILKE

My hon. Friend wrote me a private letter on that subject some time ago. In 1880 the system was examined, and the experiments were satisfactory; but I will see that further inquiry is made.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

asked whether the right hon. Baronet was aware that the water supply to Northampton was of a very inferior character?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

said, he thought the Question should be placed on the Paper.