§ MR. GROVE (West Ham, N.)T beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the hardship inflicted on Sandgate by the delay in the repair of its sea wall, and of the national as well as local injury which may be incurred if another storm breaks upon that part of the coast before the damage is made good, will he at once take steps to decide whether the County Council of the locality is answerable for the repair of the aforesaid damages?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. H. H. FOWLER, Wolverhampton, E.)The Local Board of Sandgate claimed, under Section 11 of the Local Government Act, 1888, to retain their powers and duties with regard to the maintenance and repair of the main road referred to in the question; and, assuming that the protection of this road from the sea by a sea wall is to be regarded as maintenance of the road within the terms of the Statute, the duty devolves on the Local Board. The question, however, arises whether the County Council are liable to repay to the Local Board the cost of such works, or any part thereof; and the Local Government Board have had referred to them for arbitration a claim which has been made against the County Council for expenses incurred by the Local Board in respect of the protection of the road from the sea during the four years ended March 31, 1893. The Board have promised to hold an inquiry in the matter, but the inquiry was deferred at the request of both parties. The Board are now awaiting the receipt of certain particulars of expenditure for which they have asked, and when these have been received arrangements will be made for the holding of the inquiry.