§ COLONEL MAKINS (Essex, S.E.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is true that the sluices of the Northern Outfall Sewer have been opened daily from the 18th to the 28th July inclusive for two or three hours before the tide turned; whether the effect of such premature opening of the sluices is that the sewage is sent up the stream and pollutes the water at Woolwich and other places I higher up; whether such pollution has caused much complaint as being I dangerous to the health of the residents; and, whether he will take steps to induce the Metropolitan Board of Works to discontinue the practice of opening the sluices before high water?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Yes, Sir; it is a fact that these sluices are being opened before the tide ceases to flow, and that, accordingly, a certain quantity of sewage goes up the river, thus causing much complaint. I a in informed by the Metropolitan Board of Works that extensive works are being carried on at the northern outfall for the purpose of purifying the sewage; and in order to carry on this work with safety it is necessary to keep one of the four compartments of the reservoir empty, and to maintain the sewage in the other three compartments at a lower level. The reservoir space being thus restricted the sluices have for the present to be opened before the tide has ceased to flow. I am assured that the works are being actively pressed forward in order that the necessity for thus opening the sluices may terminate as soon as possible. I regret, on behalf of the inhabitants of the banks, that the necessity entailing such consequences should have arisen.