§ BARON DE FERRIERESasked the Under Secretary of State for India, How it is that there is a constant collection of water in the basement of the India Office, necessitating the incessant action of an hydraulic pump, the click of which is very detrimental to work; and, if there is not good ground for the supposition that the remedial drainage works, carried out about a year ago, have not proved efficient, and that the water still collecting there is contaminated with sewage?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSIn consequence of a leakage in the main supply water-pipe of the India Office, which was very difficult to trace, it has been necessary to use a small hand pump for an hour or two daily to keep the sub-basement dry. On Tuesday last the pipe burst, and some of the cellars were flooded, necessitating a more vigorous spell at the pump. The pipe is now repaired. As I have said, the water which escaped came from the main supply pipe, and was perfectly clean. There is no reason to suppose it was contaminated with sewage.