§ MR. MACNAMARAI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the legal expenses of counsel representing the various London local authorities in connection with the recent inquiry into the abortive regulations proposed by the London water companies will have to be borne by the London ratepayers, or whether it is within the competence of the Local Government Board to give the costs of the inquiry against the water companies.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe Local Government Board have no power to require the water companies to pay the costs referred to in the question, and I may add that if I had such powers I should not consider they ought to be exercised in this case.
§ MR. MACNAMARAHas the right hon. Gentleman any idea as to what the costs are likely to amount to?
§ MR. WALTER LONGNo, Sir; of course not.