§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he can now say what steps he proposes to take in reference to the insanitary condition of the Cradley District?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)There have been several inspections of the Cradley District by Inspectors of the Local Government Board. The district was inspected by Dr. Parsons so recently as October last, prior to the issue of Mr. Burnett's Report. His personal observation fully confirms the statements of Mr. Burnett as to the sanitary condition of Cradley. The Board, some two years since, issued an order imposing on the Sanitary Authority the duty of providing for the removal of the contents of privies and ash-pits; and they learn that there has been some improvement, in so far as large accumulations of refuse are less frequent than was formerly the case. Dr. Parsons had an interview with the Sanitary Authority on the 9th of last month, and impressed upon them the importance of the adoption of an improved construction of privies. He also urged them to obtain the urban powers which would enable them to deal more satisfactorily with some of the existing conditions. If the Board were to receive a formal complaint under Section 299 of the Public Health Act, that the Sanitary Authority had made default in their duty in providing their district with sewers, the Board would have certain powers of intervention; but, in the absence of any such complaint, they cannot do more than they 1596 have repeatedly done—that is, urge the Sanitary Authority to discharge the duties which have been intrusted to them.