§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Medical Officer of Naas Union with, reference to the drainage of Nass Barracks; whether, in reality, there is no other outlet than the Rathasker stream for the present drainage of the barracks; and, whether, in view of the very serious risk to the public health of the neighbourhood from the continued pollution of a water course which affords the only drinking supply to a considerable number of persons, and which is proportionately greater in the hot weather, when the volume of the stream is less, he will give directions for an immediate abatement of the nuisance by the Military authorities, without waiting for the elaboration of any scheme common to the barracks and the whole town?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON, in reply, said, the Report of the medical officer of the Naas Union had been brought under his notice. The drainage of Naas Barracks discharged into tanks, from one of which there was an overflow pipe leading into the surrounding soil, and from it the overflow water might possibly at times percolate into the stream. Orders had been given that the overflow should be at once stopped.