§ Mr. Hall-Caineasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many millions of sandbags which have been placed in exposed positions in London and elsewhere will, unless they have been rot-proofed, fall to pieces in a few months, due to weather conditions, with the result that the sand and earth which they contain will cause obstruction in the streets, with a possibility of blocking the drainage system; if he is aware that sandbags can be rot-proofed by a tried and accepted process at a cost of less than 1d. a bag, and that numerous business concerns and certain of the banks and railways have rot-proofed their sandbags at their own cost, with satisfactory results; and, in view of this experience, will he consider making a grant to local authorities desirous of utilising this rot-proofing process?
§ Sir J. Anderson:It is well known that sandbags will deteriorate with exposure to weather. I am sending a communication to local authorities making suggestions for dealing with bags already in position with a view to retarding the process of decay.