§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, considering the character of the regulations which the eight water companies of the Metropolis have prepared, the expense that would be thrown upon consumers if any sanction were given to them, and the alarm that has been created amongst the local authorities and inhabitants of London by these proposals, he will undertake that no sanction shall be given to them by his Department without further Parliamentary consideration.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Bristol, S.I understand that the proposed regulations have been withdrawn.
§ MR. LOUGHCan the right hon. Gentleman suggest any means by which local authorities and the inhabitants of London may be saved from the great expense and trouble they have been put to by such regulations being brought forward?
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe regulations were brought forward by the companies in consequence of the direct recommendation of the Royal Commission. They were submitted to the Local Government Board in proper form, and if the Commissioners thought it was desirable that the regulations should be put forward, I have no suggestion to make as to the way in which the expense may be avoided.