§ 37. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the urgent need of conserving the domestic water supply of London owing to the drought, he will consider the possibility of making use of the large supplies of water which are available from the London Hydraulic Power Company's mains for street washing and other similar purposes?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)The suggestion made by my hon. Friend will certainly be considered; technical considerations are involved which, my right hon. Friend is advised, make it doubtful whether it is practicable.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the hon. Member aware that this hydraulic company can supply something like 50,000,000 gallons of water a week, not suitable for domestic purposes, and that they have something like 180 miles of mains extending from the West India Docks to Kensington and Bayswater in the West?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREYes, I understand that this is a question of hydraulic pressure, and I have no doubt that, when the occasion demands, the Metropolitan Water Board will be glad to consider its practicability.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIf the hon. Member will make inquiry, he will ascertain that this matter can be dealt with by hydrants. I have made that inquiry myself.
§ 38. Mr. R. J. RUSSELLasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the parish of Bickerton, Cheshire, after five years' repeated application for water is still without a supply; that the Liverpool water main passes through the parish, and that all requirements for a supply can be at once complied with; and will he urge upon the local authority the necessity for accelerating the work so that the farms, the schools, and the cottages now dry may have water?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREMy right hon. Friend has already approved a scheme 929 of water supply for this parish under which water is to be taken from the Liverpool main. The local council are inviting tenders for the work, and loan sanction will be issued as soon as a tender is accepted.