§ 70. Major NEWMANasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether the President was aware, when he issued his circular letter encouraging local authorities to invest rate balances in the War Loan, that the Metropolitan Water Board proposed to issue precepts for payment by local authorities in their area of the deficiency in their funds in the current financial year, although the deficiency incurred in the year 1914–15 had been defrayed during the same period; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the expenditure of the Board in order to ascertain whether any economies can be effected therein, including the amalgamation of the collection of the water rates with the collection of other local rates?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)I would refer to the answer I gave yesterday to the question of the hon. Member for the Dartford Division. I am informed by the Metropolitan Water Board that the precepts which they have recently issued are made payable on the 31st instant. I understand that some of the local authorities have made provision for payment of the precept in the present financial year, but where no such provision has been made the Water Board will exercise consideration in pressing for payment. As regards the question of the collection of the water charges, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the question on the subject which he put on the 21st March last year.