§ MR. KIMBERI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will propose the insertion in the Water Bill of clauses to re-adjust the existing water rates, and to charge them on uniform principles through London, and so that the charge for water should be such as to prevent any deficiency in the water fund which might be a burden upon the rates; also provisions for securing uniformity of valuation for assessment, similar to 438 those contained in the Valuation Metropolis Act, 1869, application to the district outside the county of London affected by the Bill; and whether he will propose provisions for the supply of water by meter compulsorily if required by consumers.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. GRANT LAWSON,) Yorkshire, N.R., ThirskSuch matters as the re-adjustment of water rates or the supply by meter must, I think, be left to the consideration of the Water Board. A proposal will, however, be made before the Joint Committee to insert a provision in the Bill to the effect that the Water Board shall not, until otherwise authorised by Parliament, reduce the rates charged for the supply of water below those in force during the present quarter. An Amendment of the law, so as to secure uniformity of valuation for assessment, will be one of the main objects of the proposed Government Valuation Bill. It would be outside the scope of the Water Bill.