§ MR. J. WARDI beg to ask the President of the Local Government 1804 Board whether he has received any reply from the Stockport Corporation with reference to the stoppage of work at the Kinder Reservoir, Derbyshire; and, if so, whether he can state the terms of the same.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI have received a reply from which it appears that the work at the reservoir has not been stopped altogether, and that portions of it are being proceeded with at the present time, but that owing to difficulties with regard to the foundation of the dam, part of the work has been suspended. It further appears that the largest number of persons at any time employed on the work was 321 in August, 1905. The number at present employed is twenty-five. It became necessary for a large number of the men to find other employment, but, so far as can be ascertained, at present only one man of those formerly employed is without work. Almost all the married men found employment on another work in the neighbourhood which is being executed for the corporation, others have gone to the Derwent Valley Water Works, and others to Garston, where a new dock is being made. It is stated that there was at one time a little distress, but that this was relieved out of funds at the disposal of the Work men's Institute which is assisted by the corporation. So far as can be ascertained there is no distress now.