§ SIR R. TEMPLE (Worcester, Evesham)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will consider the expediency of adding to the Royal Commission on the subject of the water supply of London the names of one or more influential residents of that part of the County of Surrey which is interested, as being supplied by one of the existing Water Companies, and because their present supply is drawn from the River Thames, which is being exhausted of all its water, to the great detriment of that county?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE, Tower Hamlets, St. George's)Before the Royal Commission on the Metropolitan Water Supply was appointed the question of its constitution was very carefully considered. The Commission has not, however, been formed on the principle of obtaining representatives of different districts, but of securing the services of gentlemen who are specially qualified for the important inquiry which the Commission have to undertake. The Government cannot, therefore, accede to the suggestion of my hon. Friend. It will be borne in mind that the Royal Commission, by the terms of their appointment, are in their inquiry to have regard to the needs and claims of the localities not supplied by any Metropolitan Water Company, but within the watershed of the Thames.