§ Mr. NIELDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the action of the Metropolitan Water Board in threatening to cut off domestic supplies of water in default of payment, at short date, of water rates made in advance and for a period which bas not expired; whether, in view of the financial difficulties of many persons by loss of employment, and other causes consequent upon the War, and to the fact that the cutting oft' of the water supply will render dwellings insanitary and the occupiers liable to penalties under the Public Health Acts, he will take steps to intimate to the Water Board that their legal powers should not be enforced during the existence of the moratorium, and for a reasonable period thereafter?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELMy attention has been called to this matter, and I have been in communication with the Metropolitan Water Board with regard to it. I understand that they have sent out the usual notices, but that they will carefully investigate each case in which payment is not made, and will not cut off the supply of water in any case in which there is reason to suppose that the consumer is in financial difficulties in consequence of the War.