SECOND READING. (Hansard, 28 May 1878)

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY,
in moving that the Bill, which had come up from the Commons, be now read the second time, said, that the measure might be explained in a few words. The object of it was to enable rural sanitary authorities to provide or require provision of a sufficient supply of wholesome water for the domestic use of the houses within their district. Where it appeared to the rural sanitary authorities that any house within their district had not such supply within a reasonable distance, and they were of opinion that such supply could be provided at a reasonable cost, not exceeding a capital sum the interest on which, at the rate of 5 per cent per annum, would amount to 2d. per week, or at such other cost as the Local Government Board might determine under the circumstances of the case to be reasonable, they might call on the owner of the House to provide it, and, in case of his non-compliance, provide it themselves, and recover the expense from the owner by summary process. The Bill further provided that, in the case of all houses built after the passing of the Act, it was not lawful for the owner to occupy it himself, or to let it to others for occupation unless the sanitary authority was satisfied that there was a sufficient water supply. He intended, in Committee, to propose an Amendment extending the appeal given by the Bill to owners of existing houses against whom orders were made to owners of houses to whom the rural sanitary authorities refused certificates. This Bill only extended to water supply the principle embodied in the existing Sanitary Acts with reference to the prevention of nuisances and overcrowding.

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDON,
while he admitted that the aim of the Bill was laudable, wished to guard himself against being supposed to agree in all its details, He thought 826 that it would require amendment at the hands of a Select Committee. If there were no available supply of water within reasonable distance, it would be rather hard to condemn an owner. Again, there were points connected with the area of taxation which would have to be considered by the Committee.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
also was of opinion that caution was required in legislation of this description. In many rural districts a water supply for cottage use was to be obtained only in one or other of two ways—either by sending to a distance for it, or by storing rain-water. In the latter case cisterns must be erected; and this would make a considerable addition to the expense of cottages, which at present often cost a good deal more than could be derived from them in rent. In many parts of the country there was a strong prejudice against the use of rain-water for domestic purposes. It might be well, therefore, to have a declaration in the Bill that rain-water was wholesome. He thought there would be many difficulties in putting the Bill into operation.