§ MR. J. BIGWOOD (Middlesex, Brentford)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether he is aware that the procedure under the Rivers Pollution Act is so uncertain that the West Riding of Yorkshire and the Mersey and Irwell district of Lancashire have obtained special Acts, (2) and whether he would be prepared to afford to the Middlesex and other County Councils the power to promote similar Bills without the danger of being surcharged by giving a Government support to the Bill now before Parliament for that purpose; (3) and whether he is aware that, so long ago as 1893, the county of Middlesex asked for such a power: (4) and whether he is aware that they have been endeavouring ever since, though so far unsuccessfully, to grapple with this serious evil now existing in the liver Brent?
§ *MR. CHAPLINWith regard to the first part of the Question, I am aware 1466 that the West Riding Rivers Board and the Mersey and Irwell Joint Committee obtained the special Acts to which reference is made. They have no more powers for this purpose than those which have been and are possessed by the Middlesex County Council at present. As to the second and third parts of the Question, it is true that in 1891 the Middlesex County Council urged that county councils should have power to promote, as well as oppose, Bills in Parliament. I answered a Question Of the hon. Member on that point on Monday last, and I am afraid that I can add nothing to it. But, even if that power was granted now, it could have no bearing on the present condition of the river Brent, as no Bill under the new power could be promoted until next year. As to the fourth part of the Question—viz., the existing condition of the river Brent—I am not aware of the action which has been taken by the county council, under the powers which they already possess, with a view to the prevention of the pollution of the river.
§ MR. G. C. T. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)asked what steps had been taken in the matter?
§ MR. CHAPLINI stated on Tuesday that injunctions had been obtained against tile chief offending districts—viz., the Willesden and Wembley District Councils—and that loans to a very considerable amount had been sanctioned by the Local Government Board for works necessary to deal with the evil, but, of course, they take time. I have also sent an inspector of the Board, since the matter was brought under my notice, to examine the condition of the river and to make an immediate report. The hon. Member may be assured that everything that can be done shall be done; but my powers in the matter are exceedingly limited. ["Hear, hear!"]