§ MR. ERNEST GRAYI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the condition of the Channelsea River in the borough of West Ham; is he aware that it is stated that this river is little better than an open sewer; and will he, by inquiry or otherwise, cause such measures to be adopted as will re-remove the obvious danger to which the dense population of the district is subject if the allegation referred to be correct?
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLThe Local Government Board received last month a petition signed by 74 ratepayers, in which they complained of the condition of the Channelsea River (the waters of which are tidal), and stated that the river was practically an open sewer. The Board are in communication with the Lea Conservancy Board on the subject, and have forwarded to them a copy of the petition referred to. The Board are desirous of rendering any assistance that is possible in the matter, but it is not a case in which they have any compulsory powers that can be exercised.