§ SIR F. DIXON-HARTLANDI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that for some time past great complaints have been made of the inadequacy of the system of sewers in the urban district of Epping; whether application was made to him more than a year ago by the district council for sanction to raise a loan for the purpose of carrying out further works of sewerage and sewage disposal; whether there is any reason why the loan applied for should not now be sanctioned, so that works urgently required in the interests of the public health may be proceeded with without delay; and, in case the urban district council neglects to proceed, what steps can the ratepayers take to oblige them to do so?
MR. RUSSELLThe Local Government Board have received complaints on the subject of the sewage at Epping. The Urban District Council applied in November, 1897, for sanction to a loan for works of sewerage and sewage disposal, and also for a Provisional Order for the compulsory purchase of land for the scheme. This Order was confirmed last Session, but the district council state that they have experienced difficulty in acquiring the land, and they are considering a different scheme from that originally contemplated. The Board are communicating with the district council, urging them to proceed at once in the matter.