71 and 72. Mr. ANNESLEY SOMER-VILLEasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether, in view of the continued pollution of the River Blackwater by Aldershot sewage, he will take steps to expedite the scheme for dealing with this sewage which has been held up by negotiations as to terms between the War Office and the Farnham Rural District Council;
(2) whether, in the interests of the purity of the water in the River Black-water into which the sewage of Aldershot is now discharged, and with reference to which the conservators of the River Thames served a statutory notice in 1926 on the Aldershot Corporation, he will take steps to expedite the negotiations for the treatment, of the sewage of Aldershot camp?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. T. Shaw)The Army Council are fully aware of the urgency of the matter. The proposals of the Farnham Rural District Council are now under consideration, and every effort will be made to complete their examination as expeditiously as possible.
Mr. SOMERVILLECan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of the additional length of time that will be necessary?
§ Mr. SHAWNo, I am afraid I cannot; but I can give the hon. Member a guarantee that, so far as we are concerned, the time will not be unduly extended.