On Monday Lord James introduced the London Water Bill into
the House of Lords. Its object, he explained, was to place the water - supply in the hands of a re- sponsible and representative body. That body could not fairly be the County Council, because the "water area" was 620 square miles and the County Council area only 121 square miles. In fairness, then, to the local authorities outside the County Council area, a new body must be created. This body was to number thirty. Sixteen members were to be chosen by the County Council in order that they might have a majority ; Middlesex, Essex, and West Ham were to have two seats each ; Surrey, Kent, Hertfordshire, Croydon, one each ; and the Thames and the Lea Conservancies one each These members were to be nominated by the respective Councils. When the Board was constituted it was first to deal with the Water Companies, and then to come to Parlia- ment to sanction the arrangement. We cannot agree with Lord Tweedmouth in condemning the scheme. Though we do not at all share the dread of the County Council which exists in many quarters, we realise that the case is eminently one for such a compromise as the Government have proposed. The interests of the Local Authorities outside the County Council area must be considered and protected.
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