HC Deb 07 June 1888 vol 326 cc1376-8
MR. PICTON (Leicester)

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether his attention has been called to the state of that portion of the Regent's Canal which passes through the north of Regent's Park; whether he is aware that the whole of the sewage of the Zoological Gardens is discharged into the Canal, thus making it an open sewer; whether he knows that an analysis of the water shows it to be saturated with offensive matter; and that representations have been made in vain both to the Directors of the Gardens and to Local Authorities; and, whether, if he has not been informed on these points, he will cause inquiry to be made, and, if necessary, take such precautions as may be needed for the protection of the public frequenting that portion of the Park?

MR. LAWSON (St. Pancras, W.)

asked, that the House might also be informed whether any action had been taken in this matter after the inquiry promised to him some time ago by the President of the Local Government Board?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET) (Dublin University)

I have no knowledge of the inquiry to which the hon. Member (Mr. Lawson) refers. I had not received any complaint as to the state of the Canal until I saw the hon. Member's (Mr. Picton's) Question on the Paper. The Zoological Society hold their gardens on lease from the Office of Woods, and I have no control over them; but I have been informed, on the authority of the Superintendent of the Zoological Gardens, that the water in the Canal near the outlet from the Gardens has been frequently analyzed by the sanitary officer of the St. Pancras Vestry, and that, owing to the quantity of water flowing from the various tanks and reservoirs in the Gardens into the Canal, the water in the vicinity of the outlet was found to be in better condition than it was in other parts further up the Canal; that the drainage of the Zoological Gardens does go direct into the Regent's Canal; and that solid matter is not allowed to pass into the drains, but goes into cesspools, which are supplied as required.

MR. PICTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in the interest of the public, direct an analysis to be made of the water in the Canal as it passes through the Park?

MR. PLUNKET

said, he had no objection to do what the hon. Member asked; and if the hon. Gentleman brought forward any statement in con- tradiction of that which he had just made, he would, of course, consider it.