HC Deb 23 July 1889 vol 338 cc1090-1
MR. BRUNNER (Cheshire, Northwich)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has been informed that a further serious and alarming subsidence of one of the main roads out of the town of Northwich took place on the night of Wednesday last; whether he is aware that practically the whole of the great damage to property caused by the pumping of brine in Cheshire and Worcestershire is the work of two wealthy and prosperous corporations-—namely, the Salt Union and Brunner, Mond, and Co., and yet that it is impossible to ascertain which of them causes any particular subsidence, and that therefore property owners and Local Authorities have no means of redress; whether he is aware that the same danger threatens the towns of Fleetwood, Barrow-in-Furness, Middles-brough, and West Hartlepool, and that if the danger be there more remote, the interests involved are indefinitely larger; and, whether, under these circumstances, he will give favourable consideration to the prayer of the petition of the North-wich Local Board for a Royal Commission to inquire into the facts, and to suggest a remedy?

* THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCIE,) Tower Hamlets, St. George's

I have received no information as to the serious subsidence of one of the main roads out of the town of North-wich, except so far as the fact has been mentioned to me by the hon. Member. I have no reason to doubt the statements in the question as to its being impossible to ascertain what particular works cause any subsidence, and as to the difficulty which is thereby occasioned to property owners and Local Authorities in obtaining redress. I have received no representations as to similar difficulties arising at Fleetwood, Barrow-in-Furness, Middlesbrough, or West Hartlepool. With regard to the concluding part of the question I have been asked by the Northwich Local Board to receive a Deputation in support of a memorial for the appointment of a Royal Commission, and I will arrange for receiving the Deputation proposed.

MR. BRUNNER

I have heard since I put the question down upon the Paper that the Winsford Local Board have authorized a deputation to wait upon the right hon. Gentleman. May I ask if he will consent to receive that deputation?

* MR. RITCHIE

Yes.