§ MR. PIKE PEASE (Darlington)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the medical officer of health has reported to the Dartford Rural District Council that the pumping station at Darenth, Kent, sucks the adjacent surface springs to such an extent that they ebb and flow according to the pumping; that this water must be liable to pollution, but that the water company deny 1313 this; and when the inquiry into the liability of this source of supply to pollution, asked for by twenty resident householders on the 22nd March, 1904, will take place.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) I understand that the medical officer of health has made a report to the effect referred to. When the undertaking of the water company passed to the Metropolian Water Board the Local Government Board called the attention of the Water Board to this matter. The Water Board has made a series of tests, which have just been concluded, and I am now awaiting a report as to the result.