§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, although the Highland Railway Company promised the Board of Trade as far back as May, 1894, that the railway stations on their line should have a proper supply of water, the medical officer for health for Ross and Cromarty, in his Report for 1897, states that Strathcarron Railway Station is still without a supply of potable water; and will he take steps with a view to the requirements of the medical officer of health being complied with without further delay? I beg at the same time to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the medical officer of health for Ross and Cromarty, in his Report for the year 1897, points out that the Nigg and Fearn railway stations are still without a supply of potable water; and, having regard to the fact that the Highland Railway Company have promised on several occasions during the last few years to provide a supply, will he take such steps as will ensure the matter being attended to without further delay?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe subject-matter of the honourable Gentleman's two Questions, which I will answer together, does not fall within the administration of the Board of Trade, but I have been happy to make inquiry of the railway company, and learn from the general manager that at Nigg the company have done their best to obtain water, and have sunk two wells, but that the water in both is reported unsuitable for drinking. The district committee of the county council recently held a meeting to consider the formation of a water district, and the company attended and 326 promised to join in any well-considered scheme. At Fearn I am told the supply is adequate and of as good quality as is obtainable. With regard to Strathcarron, the general manager says that water is obtained from a running burn near the station; he adds that he has seen the officer of health, and at his suggestion will provide a filter as a tentative measure.