SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, having regard to the inconvenience caused to the public by the tearing up of the streets of the metropolis by the London County Council, the borough councils, water and various companies, without any common plan, he will consider the desirability of introducing a short Amendment to the Metropolitan Streets Act, or other statute, making the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis an authority whose licence must be obtained before any street can be taken up and closed to traffic.
§ * MR. COHEN (Islington, E.)Is the London County Council responsible in any instance for the inconvenience?
§ * MR. RITCHIEThe inconvenience to which my hon. and gallant friend draws attention is certainly very great, and I notice with satisfaction that the question is engaging the joint attention of the London County Council and the borough councils. I will not lose sight of the matter. In response to the hon. Member for East Islington, I have to say I have no doubt that the London County Council is not responsible for many of the breakings-up,