§ 39. Mr. R.C. Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to remedy the conditions arising from inadequate water supplies at an ordnance depot of which he has been informed.
§ Sir. J. GriggYes, Sir, I am aware of the severe shortage of water at this carne which has been greatly aggravated by the unusually low rainfall. The public supply authority, from whose resources the depot is supplied, is constructing new permanent works to augment the present supply and in the meantime has constructed temporary works which will be put into service as soon as possible. Local arrangements have also been made by the War Department to ease the demand by carting drinking water from other sources and by making use of local streams for other purposes. Until the normal supply is increased the strictest measures of water economy must necessarily remain in force in the depot.
§ Mr. ThorneWill it be impossible to have one of these artesian wells sunk at this camp?
§ Sir J. GriggI have not the slightest doubt that the authorities have considered all possible sources of supply, but I will make certain that that particular possibility has not been overlooked.
§ Mr. R.C. MorrisonDoes not the reply indicate that insufficient attention was given in planning this camp to the necessity of seeing that a water supply was available?
§ Sir J. GriggNo, Sir. Such trouble as occurred is entirely due to the fact that, for operational reasons, the camp had to be occupied rather earlier than the expected date.