§ MR. W. R. BOUSFIELD (Hackney, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that in some portions of the district served by the East London Water Company there was no water available for flushing closets at 9.30 in the morning yesterday (Wednesday) and that at the same time water was being freely used for watering the roads; and, whether he is in a position to state whether any, and, if so, what immediate steps can be taken to insure a sufficient water supply to houses in East London for sanitary purposes?
§ MR. CHAPLINI have learnt with much regret that the East London Waterworks Company have found it necessary to restrict the supply of water to six hours a day in consequence of the extreme drought, and I have no reason to doubt the statement that in some portions of the district served by the company there was no water supply available at 9.30 in the morning yesterday. With regard to the statement that water, notwithstanding, was being used for watering the roads, I may say that on Tuesday I communicated with the company and with the several local authorities within the limits of supply by the company, stating that the Local Government Board considered that as far as possible the supply of water for street watering 485 should be discontinued in the district of the company so long as the present drought continued, and expressing the Board's hope that the local authorities would concur in the adoption of this course. As I previously stated, I communicated with the East London Company and the New River Company, suggesting an arrangement by which assistance as regards the supply of water should be obtained from the latter company. Negotiations, I understand, are now proceeding, and I am inquiring what has been done in this matter. I am also urging upon the company the importance of at once fixing standpipes to such of the mains as are constantly charged with the view of diminishing the serious inconvenience arising from the direct supply to houses being limited to six hours a day. The company are pressing upon consumers the extreme importance of all waste being avoided, and that the use of water for gardens and other similar purposes should be discontinued, and from the information which I have received I am convinced of the necessity of husbanding the supply as far as possible.