§ SIR J. SWINBURNE (Staffordshire, Lichfield)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the insanitary condition of the streets lying between Victoria Street and St. James's Park; and whether he will direct that an inquiry shall be made with relation thereto; and whether he proposes to take any steps to bring about the removal of the slaughter-house still existing in this locality?
§ MR. BURDETT-COUTTS (Westminster)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman is there any truth in the allegation that these streets are in an insanitary condition? Is it not the fact that the Vestry and the Sanitary Inspector are satisfied as to the condition of the streets?
§ * MR. RITCHIEMy attention has not been drawn to the insanitary condition of the streets between Victoria Street and the St. James's Park, or to the existence of the slaughter-house which is mentioned. If there is ground for complaint as to the condition of these places, the first step is to bring the facts of the case under the attention of the Local Authority, who are responsible 835 for the sanitary condition of their district. I am not aware whether this course has been taken. If it has been, and without any satisfactory results, I shall be prepared to consider any statement of the facts with which I may be furnished.
§ SIR J. SWINBURNEI may say I have already taken the steps suggested by the right hon. Gentleman, but matters have not improved.
§ * MR. RITCHIEPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars.