§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSON (Middlesbrough)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Medical Officer of the Port of London has declared that in many cases the tug boats on the River Thames are in an insanitary condition, particularly with regard to the source of drinking water which is taken from the river, and which he describes as a most dangerous proceeding; and what steps can be taken to prevent the development of disease among the floating population through this practice?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERI have communicated with the Medical Officer of the Port of London on the subject of this question, and he informs me that there is some foundation for the report as to the insanitary condition of some of the steam tugs on the Upper Thames, although it cannot be said that, generally, they are in a bad state. He is making a close and careful inspection of these tugs, and is requiring that defects shall be remedied. In the case of any tugs where it is known that water has been obtained from the 1439 river the Medical Officer insists upon the emptying of the water vessels, and after warning the master of the tug as to the danger communicates with the owners, with a view to such instructions being given as will prevent the use for drinking purposes of water taken direct from the river.