§ MR. PIKE PEASE (Darlington)To ask the President of the Local Government 1340 Board whether the Kent Waterworks Company, before giving up the control of their new pumping station at Darenth, Kent, informed him that an experimental inquiry would serve to show whether and to what extent the water raised from the well may be derived from the adjacent land; and, if so, will he say when he will cause such inquiry to be made in order to ascertain whether water so derived is liable to pollution by surface drainage.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) The experiment referred to was suggested by an adjoining owner with a view of showing that the well was liable to pollution by surface drainage from his land. The company, however, stated that they were advised that the experiment would only serve to show whether, and to what extent, water raised from the well may be derived from the adjacent land, and would not form any proof of the possibility of deleterious matter passing from such land into the well. As my hon. friend is aware, the undertaking of the company has now been transferred to the Metropolitan Water Board, and I am in communication with that Board on the subject of the complaint addressed to me. I have not at present decided to direct an experimental inquiry to be made.