§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, before any scheme for the disposal of London sewage is adopted, a Government Inquiry would be held, at which the inhabitants of South-East Essex would have the opportunity of expressing their views, and giving evidence?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE, Tower Hamlets, St. George's)I am informed that the London County Council have no definite scheme for the disposal of London sewage under their consideration; but they have instructed the Main Drainage Committee to secure the services of an eminent civil engineer to join the engineer of the Council in a thorough examination of the whole sewage system of the Metropolis. As no definite scheme is at present before the County Council I am not in a position to say what opportunity can be afforded to the inhabitants of South-East Essex of expressing their views and giving evidence.
§ MAJOR RASCHIf the London County Council have the disposal of the sewage and decide upon getting rid of it at Candy Island, will the Local Government Board be in a position to protect the inhabitants of Southend from a nuisance?
§ MR. RITCHIEIt would not necessarily come before the Local Government Board. It is proposed, I believe, to make some alteration in the existing arrangements in reference to the London County Council finance, and if these proposals are assented to by Parliament the present position might be affected.