§ Mr. ROWLANDSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the conditions of housing, sanitary arrangements, and water supply in the rural district of Dartford; whether he can state what steps are being taken by the local authorities to meet the case; and whether it is his intention to take any immediate action?
§ Mr. BURNSI am in communication with the rural district council in regard to some of the matters referred to in the question. As regards housing, I have asked for much more complete information than was contained in the report of the medical officer of health, and on receipt of this I will consider what action should be taken. As regards water supply, I must point out that part of the district is within the limits of supply of the Metropolitan Water Board and part within those of the Mid-Kent Water Company, and according to my information only a very small proportion of the houses in the district are without a piped service. I am, however, asking for further information in regard to this and other sanitary matters to which attention has been drawn.