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"(2.) If the undertakings are not so acquired, whether additional
powers of control should be exercised by local or other authorities, and,
if so, what those powers should be.
"(3.) Whether it is practicable to connect any two or more of the
different systems of supply now administered by the eight metropolitan
companies, and, if so, by whom and in what proportions should the cost
of connecting them be borne, and what are the legal powers necessary to
give effect to any such arrangement."
Metropolitan
Water Companies
Bill.
A Bill has also been introduced by the
Government into the House of Commons
to empower water consumers and local authorities to
complain to the Railway and Canal Commission of the
failure of any Metropolitan Water Company to perform
a statutory duty of the Company, and to empower local
authorities to aid any water consumer in obtaining the
determination of questions with respect to the rights,
duties, and liabilities of any of the Metropolitan Water
Companies, or the supply of water and the charges
made by the companies. The Bill is still in the House
of Commons.
Southwark and
Vauxhall Water
Bill.
An injunction having been obtained by
the Conservators of the River Thames
restraining the bouthwark and Vauxhall Company from
taking more water than was provided for by the agreement
between the Company and the Conservators, the
Company have introduced a Bill into Parliament authorising
them to take an additional quantity of water
from the River Thames. The London County Council
decided to oppose the Bill, and communicated with this
Board and other local authorities on the subject. The
Board, however, came to the conclusion that it was
not advisable to oppose the Bill, and informed the
Council that in their opinion a clause should be inserted
providing that the Bill should not have the
effect of increasing the value of the Company's undertaking
in the event of the undertaking being at any
c