HC Deb 31 July 1896 vol 43 cc1268-9
MR. H. SAMUEL) Tower Hamlets, Limehouse

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any arrangement had been come to between the New River Water Company and the East London Water Company in regard to the water supply of East London.

MR. CHAPLIN

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that within half an hour of answering a question on that point in the negative, yesterday, I received a telegram informing me that the two companies had come to an arrangement by which the New River Company would be able to provide the East London Company with an additional supply of three million gallons daily. [Cheers.] I may also state what I think will be generally satisfactory to the House, that the East London Company have readily agreed to the suggestion which I made to them some few days ago. The directors, I understand, met yesterday, and this morning I received a communication from General Scott, the water examiner to the Board, to the following effect:—" The secretary has informed me that the directors are most anxious to do all in their power to alleviate any distress occasioned by the present drought, and that the company will undertake to defray to any reasonable extent the cost of distributing receptacles for storing water, to the poorest class of householders, who do not possess vessels suited to the purpose. The secretary will communicate at once with the local authorities with a view to giving effect to their intention." (Hear, hear.)