LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 264, 31 July 1908, Page 7

LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL

j WORKS DEPARTMENT TO GO. (HI TELEGRAPH —FRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) London, July 29. After an all-night sitting, tho Moderates carried a resolution abolishing the Works Department of tho London County Council. ■THE DEPARTMENTAL AND ; CONTRACT SYSTEMS. | This is another stage in tho conflict between the Moderates (corresponding to the pnionists in general-politics) and the Progressives (more or less corresponding to Liberals iind Socialists) with regard to municipal policy in tho Metropolis. Tlio question of tho continuation or termination of the Works Department is practically the issue betweoii direct labour and the contract system; and the latter has won, after an all-night sitting. Some interesting information as to the scope of the Works Department appears in a report made in March by tho Finance Committee of the Council. It shows in tho first place that during the five years ended Mareh 31, 1307, the total amount of work put in hand cost' .£8,210.200, of which the Works Department carried out JE2.525.400 and contractors •£f),384,500. Tho Finance Committee goes on to indicato the probability in the near future of there, being much less work for a iVorks Department to do. "During the five years in question the number of important works undertaken b.v the Council was exceptional, and included the large main drainage improvement scheme, the reconstruction arid electrification of the Council's tramwavs, tho erection of manv working class dwellings and a large number of schools, and a great deal of paving work in connection with street improvements. It did not apnear probable that anything approaching so large an amount of work could in anv circumstances be undertaken by the Council during the next few years. . . If the Works Department secured as large a' proportion of works as they secured during tho last five completed years, the expenditure on estimated works in that department would amount, to, say, ,£300.000 each, year"—but the Committee goes on t.n indicate minor causes which will tend to melee the amount still less.

Til the elections nf March 7, 1907, the Moderates were returned. wit'i n minority of •12, nn on economy ticket. The abolition of the AYorks Department is one of the consequences.