§ MR. STUART SAMUEL (Tower Hamlets, Whitechapel)To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that by an Act dated 31st July, 1902, the Corporation of London obtained powers to acquire the leasehold of Spitalfields Market, and, upon such purchase being completed (which was to be 18 months after notice was given, which notice was served on 27th January, 1903), the Corporation of London undertook to clean and scavenge the streets in and abutting on the market, such cleaning being still undertaken by the Stepney Borough Council at a cost of over £1,000 a year, owing to the purchase of the leaseholder's interest not having been affected, he will take steps to expedite the proceedings now being undertaken in his name by the Corporation of London, so that the Stepney Borough Council may be spared the expense consequent upon the Corporation of London's failure to fulfil the obligations imposed upon it by the Act of 1902.
(Answered by Sir William Robson.) This action was commenced in the name of the Attorney-General at the relation of the Corporation of London against the leaseholder of Spitalfields to have determined certain questions which affect the price to be paid for the market. The Corporation of London has the carriage of the proceedings, and I understand it is doing all in its power to expedite them. It cannot be said that it has failed to fulfil its obligations under the Act of 1902, as such obligators (in respect of cleaning streets) have not yet arisen.