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being taken, in connection with the Bill, to improve the law by
providing for the regulation of bakehouses. The Home Secretary
replied that this matter, "so far as relates to sanitation, was
rather a matter to be dealt with in a Public Health Bill." Consequently,
a further communication was made (on May 4th) to the
President of the Local Government Board, who had charge of the
Public Health (London) Bill, informing him of the view taken by
the Home Secretary, and asking him to give effect to it in that
Bill. A reply was received (also dated 4th May) stating that the
suggestion would receive the consideration of the Local Government
Board: but no action was taken. It may be mentioned that
clause 3 (2) of the Bill gives to the Sanitary Inspector the same
power of entry to bakehouses as that conferred on the Medical Officer
of Health by section 17 (1) of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1883,
a bakehouse being a "workshop" within the meaning of the Act.
This is an important improvement of the law, to the necessity for
which I have directed attention in my several Annual Reports since
the passing of the Act in 1883.
WATER SUPPLY BILLS.
The water supply of the Metropolis formed the subject of
no fewer than six Bills introduced into Parliament early in the
current Session, three of which are deserving of mention here.
The "London Water Commission," was a Private Bill promoted
by the Corporation with a view to the establishment of a commission,
to be empowered to consider and submit to Parliament,
Bills dealing with the subject of water supply. Another measure
"Metropolis Water Supply" was a Public Bill, promoted by
certain Yestries and District Boards, which aimed at the purchase
of the Companies' undertakings and their transference to a Water
Trust, but with power to the County Council to adopt the Act
within a limited time, and take the place of the Trust. The
principal provisions of these measures were set out in Appendices
to a "Report of the Parliamentary Committee of the County
County on the London Water Bills," a copy of which was