HC Deb 23 February 1943 vol 387 cc25-6
40. Mr. Hammersley

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many of the emergency water tanks erected in London boroughs for the use of the National Fire Service, on the authority of the Regional Commissioners, are faulty in design and construction; whether he has considered representations on the matter, and what steps are being taken to prevent waste of public money involved in the continuance of types of construction which have proved faulty?

Mr. Peake

In the area referred to construction in puddled clay was used for some basins. Puddled clay basins offer, in suitable soil, a rapid, inexpensive and quite satisfactory method of construction for water storage. It is not always easy to be sure in advance that they will be a success in a particular soil, but when the basins in question were planned, it was the view of the technical advisers at Regional Headquarters, and of the local authority, that in this area construction in puddled clay would be satisfactory. This has not proved to be the case and remedial measures now in progress are likely to lead to the total cost exceeding, by some 20 per cent. the expenditure which would have been incurred had different methods been used from the first. In the light of the general experience with this form of construction it has already been virtually abandoned.

Mr. Hammersley

May we take it that this kind of construction in this area, which is found to be unsatisfactory, will now be discontinued and that no attempt will be made to insist on this unsatisfactory type of construction of static water tanks?

Mr. Peake

I can understand the hon. Member's concern that the soil of Willesden should have proved less suitable than the authorities anticipated, and I can give him the assurance for which he asks.

Captain Godfrey Nicholson

Has the Department consulted experts in the manufacture of dew ponds?

Mr. Peake

I could not say.