HC Deb 14 July 1887 vol 317 c784
MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the fact that the stench from the River Thames round the Isle of Dogs has, during the last few days, been almost intolerable; and, what steps he proposes to take to remedy this dangerous nuisance?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

I am informed by the clerk to the Metropolitan Board of Works that no complaints have been made to the Board as to stench from the Thames round the Isle of Dogs; but that possibly the recent great heat and the absence of rain may have combined to render the state of the river less satisfactory than it should be. He further states that the Metropolitan Board is doing its best to deodorize the sewage at the outfalls, so that there may be no nuisance from that source. I have, on more than one occasion, directed the attention of the Board to this important subject, which is under their exclusive control.

COLONEL MAKINS (Essex, S.E.)

asked, whether it was not a fact that the sluices at the northern outfall were sometimes open before the tide ceased to flow, so that the sewage went up the river instead of down.

MR. MATTHEWS

I am not aware of the fact; I have furnished all the information which has been given to me.

COLONEL MAKINS

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the matter?

MR. MATTHEWS

Yes.