§ MR. B. L. COHEN (Islington, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state to the House the names of the Members who will form the Royal Commission on the Water Supply of London?
§ MR. WHITMORE (Chelsea)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can now give the names of those who will compose the Royal Commission to inquire into the question of the purchase and regulation of the London Water Companies; and when it is his intention to introduce the Bill for strengthening and improving the position of water consumers in the Metropolis?
§ MR. CHAPLINThe names of the Members of the Royal Commission on the Water Supply of London are as follows: The Right Hon. Lord Llandaff, chairman; the Right Hon. T. W. Mellor, M.P., Sir 1231 John Dorington, M.P., Sir G. 15. Bruce, C.E., Major-General A. de Courcy Scott, R.E., Mr. A. de Bock Porter, C. B., Mr. H. W. Cripps, Q.C., and Mr. Robert Lewis. I may add, with reference to the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Chelsea, that I hope to bring in a Bill dealing with the water question as soon as I see any prospect of making progress with the Measure.
§ MR. S. WOODS (Essex, Walthamstow)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, in view of his promise to introduce a Measure this Session for the purpose of strengthening and improving the position of the water consumers of the Metropolis, whether he is aware that the East London Waterworks Company have introduced, a new condition in their latest demand notes, namely, that it will be unlawful to use water in, the future for garden use except through meters; whether in his promised Measure he will make provision protecting the consumers against this prohibition of the use of water in gardens; and, if he is aware that the Company in question have admitted that no reliable water meter has vet been invented?
§ MR. CHAPLINI am informed by the Company that, owing to the excessive use and waste of water by reason of garden hose and other apparatus being employed and frequently left running day and night, the directors have given notice for determining the arrangements entered into for garden supply. The fixed charge has been abolished, and the supply for garden purposes will be furnished through meters. I must defer any statement as to the provisions of the proposed Measure until it is introduced by me. As regards the last Question, the company state that they are not aware that they have ever "admitted that no reliable meter has yet been, invented." They also state that it is physically impossible for more water to be registered than passes through the meter, although it may happen that the whole of the water passing through the meter is not registered.