§ MR. LAWSON (St. Pancras, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will inquire into the cause of the poisoning and pollution of the River Colne and its tributaries by the Croxley Paper Mills, near Watford, on Wednesday the 7th May, whereby private property to the value of many hundreds of pounds was destroyed; and whether he has any power to insist upon the provision of necessary apparatus whereby poisonous, noxious, or polluting liquid or matter can be dealt with so as to prevent any such injury or damage for the future; and, if so, whether he will exercise such powers, in the interest of the owners, tenants, and ratepayers of the river and fisheries in the neighbourhood?
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE,) Tower Hamlets, St. George'sSince the notice of this question was given by the hon. Member, I have communicated with the Sanitary Authority of the Watford Union, and I learn from their clerk that no complaint has been made to the Authority as to the occurrence on the 7th May at the Croxley Paper Mills. I am informed, however, by the communications which I have reeeived, that a tank at the mills which was charged with chloride of lime burst, the result being to poison great quantities of fish, and to affect the water for a long distance below the mills. I have no 1112 authority to insist upon the provision of necessary apparatus whereby poisonous, noxious, or polluting liquid or matter can be dealt with so as to prevent any such injury or damage for the future. If, as I infer is the case, it is considered that the provisions of the Rivers Pollution Prevention Act are contravened, the Sanitary Authority are empowered, with the consent of the Local Government Board, to institute proceedings for the enforcement of that Act. If any such consent is applied for, the matter will receive my prompt consideration. In the meantime, I will bring the matter specially under the attention of the Sanitary Authority, and request them to investigate the facts and report the result to the Board.
§ MR. ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)May I ask whether a tenant is compelled to give two months' notice before a nuisance can be abated?
§ *MR. RITCHIEThe Local Government Board have no authority in the matter, unless the Local Authority propose to institute proceedings under the Rivers Pollution Prevention Act, and apply to the Board for their consent to the institution of the proceedings. The notice for the abatement of a nuisance rests with the Sanitary Authority of the district.