36. Lieut.-Colonel J. WARDasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the absence of housing accommodation for the workmen and their families employed upon the new reservoir works of the Metropolitan Water Board at. Ashford Common, Middlesex: is he aware that the accommodation provided is for 100 men, while the number at present employed upon the, works is 1,160: that Mr. C. Rodgers, the local sanitary inspector, has repeatedly called the attention of the local sanitary authorities to the subject without result: and what action his Department has taken to put the law in force in accordance with Section 11 of the Act of 1911 authorising these works?
§ Sir A. MONDI have written to the hon. and gallant Member informing him of the result of the inquiries which I have had made into this matter.
Lieut.-Colonel WARDMr. Speaker, the reply of the right hon. Gentleman is simply that he can do nothing, but there is an Act of Parliament that he is supposed to enforce: and the question with the Section has been put clown to draw the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to the actual powers that he possesses, and of which he does not seem to know: is that so?
§ Sir A. MONDI have been looking into the question. The Metropolitan Water Board has to carry out the regulations of the local authorities, and the local authorities' sanitary inspector made certain recommendations which, I understand, are being carried out. If my hon. and, gallant Friend will read my statement he will find that a great deal has been done.