§ COLONEL WALKER (Widnes)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Liverpool Corporation refuse to entertain a claim for compensation for damage caused on a farm at Huyton by the bursting of a water main belonging to them on the ground that they are protected by their statutory powers from any liability in a case of the kind; and whether he will undertake to introduce legislation to provide for the recovery of compensation for damage caused in cases of this kind.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. WALTER LONG, Bristol, S.)I understand that the corporation consider that they are not liable in the case referred to in the question, unless it can be shown that they have been guilty of negligence in the construction or use of the waterworks. Without admitting their liability, however, they have offered as compensation a sum of £15, at which amount the damage has been estimated. I could not undertake to introduce legislation as suggested by my hon. and gallant friend.