HC Deb 01 July 1920 vol 131 cc686-7W
Mr. A. SHORT

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether the Lea Conservancy Board were empowered recently by the Ministry to increase their charges: if so, when and to what extent;

(2) whether the Lea Conservancy Board were recently empowered to increase their charges; whether such increases were required to meet increased wages; whether he is aware that many lock-keepers and collectors in the employ of the Board receive very low wages; whether he can state what steps the Ministry takes to see that the increased revenue which comes from the consumers' pockets is used for the purposes intended; and will he cause inquiry to be made into the attitude of the Board on this matter?

Mr. NEAL

The Minister of Transport has no jurisdiction over the Lea Conservancy Board, and is not in a position to order an inquiry into the proceedings of that Board. I understand that this Board recently gave notice under the powers of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, of their intention to increase the tolls and charges payable on their undertaking to the maximum amount authorised by the Lea Conservancy Act, 1874. This I am advised they are entitled to do without reference to the Ministry.

Mr. A. SHORT

asked the Minister of Transport the names of those comprising the Lea Conservancy Board and the authorities they represent?

Mr. NEAL

The names of the Conservators appointed and elected under the Lea Conservancy Act, 1900, and of the authorities they represent, are as follow:—

Chairman. Representing.
E. B. Barnard, Esq., M.A., D.L., J.P. Metropolitan Water Board.
Members.
Edwin Oakley, Esq., J.P. Bedfordshire County Council.
Lt.-Col. C. H. B. Heaton Ellis, D.L., J.P. Hertfordshire County Council.
Christopher George Musgrave, Esq., J.P. Essex County Council.
Sir Herbert Nield, K.C., M.P., D.L. Middlesex County Council.
Henry Marks, Esq., J.P. London County Council.
Capt. Alfred O. Goodrich, J.P. London County Council.
Mr. Deputy William Robert Pryke Corportion of London.
Richard White, Esq., J.P. Corporation of West Ham.
Dr. R. M. Beaton, J.P. Metropolitan Water Board.
E. H. Tripp, Esq., J.P. Metropolitan Water Board.
Edmund Broughton Barnard, Esq., M.A., D. L., J.P. Local Authorities in Hertfordshire.
Frederic Chaplin Edwards, Esq., J.P. Local Authorities in Essex.
William Delhi Cornish, Esq., O.B.E., J.P. Local Authorities in Middlesex.
Henry R. Barge, J.P. Hackney, Limehouse and Poplar Local Authorities.

There is at present one vacancy on the Board, due to the recent death of the representative of the barge-owners.