§ MR. DIXON-HARTLAND (Middlesex, Uxbridge)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he is aware that the West Surrey Waterworks Company are asking for power to acquire several acres of land on the Thames at Halliford, for the pur- 1293 pose of constructing buildings and filter beds, for which they are unfitted, in consequence of such land being frequently flooded; whether part of such works include a wharf or landing stage extending six feet into the channel of the River at its narrowest part, which will materially interfere with the flow of the River; and, whether he will take any steps to oblige the Conservators of the Thames to do their duty and oppose such Bill in Committee, as the riparian owners, who will be injured, have no locus standi to do so, and as the Conservators are, from their Parliamentary powers, the guardians of the stream?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)The West Surrey Waterworks Company are promoting a Bill in Parliament, under which it is proposed to acquire several acres of land adjoining the Thames in the parish of Walton, for the purpose of constructing buildings and reservoirs. The Conservators, however, inform me that it does not appear, cither from the Bill or the deposited plans, that the Company propose to erect a wharf or landing-stage extending six feet into the channel of the River at its narrowest part. The Conservators, I am informed, have taken all necessary steps by petitioning Parliament against the Bill; and on Tuesday last, when a Committee of this House had the Bill under consideration, the Conservators appeared by counsel, and on the representations made by them the Committee inserted clauses in the Bill to protect the public interests. Among those provisions is one that no works affecting the Thames shall be constructed until the plans, & c, of such works have been approved by the Conservators.