HC Deb 18 June 1889 vol 337 cc115-6
MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON (Shropshire, Oswestry)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the gigantic character of the waterworks and reservoirs now being constructed by the Liverpool Corporation in Montgomeryshire and at Oswestry, and of the dangers to which the inhabitants of the districts will be exposed should the stone dam or earthen embankments give way, the Government will make such provision for an independent inspection of the works as will satisfy the public of their sufficiency?

* THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.

The Board of Trade have no statutory power to make any such inspection as is suggested. But if the parties interested in the reservoirs desired such an inspection, I would endeavour to see if arrangements could be made for the purpose. I may say that in 1886 Sir Andrew Clarke, C.B., K.G., visited Vyrnwy and reported that, in his opinion, the building of the wall was being well and skilfully carried out, and that the section was so enormously in excess of actual requirements as evidenced by comparison with other existing masonry dams, that nothing short of an earthquake could possibly disturb it.

MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he will take steps to ascertain whether the Liverpool Corporation would object to such an inspection as the Board of Trade would be willing to provide?

* SIR MICHAEL HICKS BEACH

I do not think I could quite do that; I might provide for inspection, if it was invited.

MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are large embankments in the neighbourhood of Oswestry which were not visited by the eminent engineer to whom he has referred?

* SIR MICHAEL HICKS BEACH

That is very possible, but I cannot undertake to do that which I have no statutory power to perform.