§ SIR CAMERON GULL (Devon, Barnstaple)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that, although statutory obligations are imposed upon rural district councils in respect of the supply of water to places within their district, it has been often found practically impossible for those councils to carry out their obligations in the absence of powers of compulsory purchase; and whether, having regard to the serious amount of sickness in country districts which is directly traceable to insufficient or impure water supply, he could introduce at an early date a short Measure enabling rural district councils to compulsorily acquire water rights?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. HENRY CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, SleafordI am advised that there have been cases where district councils have been placed at a disadvantage, and I have already caused the point to be noted as one of the matters which should be considered in connection with any Bill for the Amendment of the Public Health Acts; but for reasons already given on other matters I cannot undertake to bring in a Bill this Session.
§ SIR CAMERON GULLIs there any immediate prospect of a Bill being introduced?
§ MR. CHAPLINNo; I cannot say that.