HL Deb 20 August 1839 vol 50 cc421-2
The Marquess of Westminster

wished to draw the attention of their Lordships to a subject of very considerable importance—namely, the supply of the metropolis with pure and wholesome water. It would form a proper subject of inquiry, whether a supply of water in a pure state could not be procured from the river. At present the water which was drawn from that source was far from being pure. If that could not be effected, then other means ought to be resorted to, in order to secure a proper supply of that important necessary. For a considerable length of time a committee of the other House of Parliament had been sitting on this subject, and it was hoped that that committee would have made such a report as would have led to beneficial results. That, however, was not the case. He had taken considerable pains in investigating this subject, and when a bill was introduced connected with it, he had given it his best consideration. Unfortunately, however, the measures which had hitherto been adopted had not produced the desired effect. It would, therefore, be right that their Lordships' attention should be called to this important matter early in the next Session. Another point to which he was anxious to direct the attention of their Lordships was the frequent occurrence of accidents on railways. A very serious accident of this nature had recently occurred near Coventry. Steps should, he thought, be taken to prevent, as far as it was possible, the recurrence of such accidents in future. To attain this object, it would be advisable that the walls on embankments should be built of such height and thickness, and be so inclined, as to present an effectual barrier against carriages being precipitated over them. Another point to which he wished to direct their Lordships' attention, was one that had already been noticed by a right rev. Prelate. He alluded to the state of the sewers in the city of London. The drainage in some parts was so defective, that it generated disease, and was calculated to deteriorate the health of the inhabitants. He should, therefore, give notice, that in the next Session of Parliament, he should move for a committee to inquire into the supply of water to the metropolis, for the purpose of devising means for securing a purer and more wholesome supply of that article; also to inquire into the causes of accidents on railways, for the purpose of proposing means for the more effectual security of passengers.

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