Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of of Health if he is aware that the rates in Middlesbrough are now 19s. 4d. in the pound and certain to increase, and, under these circumstances, will he favourably consider the application of the Middlesbrough Board of Guardians for an extended period of five years for the repayment of their overdraft of £120,000?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)I am sending the hon. Member a copy of letters which have passed between the Ministry and the guardians on this subject, from which he will see that, while the Minister has not felt able to concur in the guardians' application, he has, in view of the efforts which have been, and are being made by the guardians to deal with their financial situation, agreed not to require any definite provision for the repayment of debt during the current half year beyond that already contemplated by the guardians, and otherwise to postpone till next February the consideration of the guardians' position.