§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON () Tower Hamlets, PoplarI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, with regard to that portion of the instructions to the Royal Commission on the London Water Companies which instructs them to inquire and Report whether the financial considerations of the question render it desirable that the undertakings of the water companies should be acquired by a public authority or authorities, will he state on what basis of purchase the Commissioners will be able to form an estimate of a fair price, whether it will be on the basis of proceedings under the Lands Clauses Act, under the so-called "Plunket" Clause, or under some other form of arbitration?
§ MR. CHAPLINIt appears to me that it will be for the Commissioners to form such estimates as they may consider necessary, and for that purpose to adopt such method or methods as they may deem desirable. They can, if they think fit, form alternative estimates on different bases, but this is n question for them to decide.