§ 41 Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Health (1) whether any cases have been brought to his notice in which grants have been sanctioned for local authorities' schemes where British materials have been specified and where the specification has been altered after the sanctioning of grants so as to substitute foreign material for British;
(2) what steps he has taken to ensure that British materials are used in schemes sanctioned by the Ministry of Health since the issue of Circular 1060 of December, 1929;
2118 (3) whether he is satisfied that local authorities are loyally observing the condition as to the use of British materials laid down in Circular 1060 of December, 1929?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Hilton Young)I have no reason to think that local authorities are not generally acting in accordance with this circular or, that any further circular is called for. Where a local authority applies for my sanction to a loan and I become aware that they propose to use foreign materials, I satisfy myself as to the circumstances and conditions of proposal before the loan is sanctioned. Consent to alterations in a specification has been given in a few cases where Government grant has been sanctioned, and good cause was shown for the use of foreign materials in place of British.
§ Mr. ROBINSONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider withdrawing the Ministry's grant in cases where Circular 1060 is not observed?
§ Sir H. YOUNGI do not think that any general action of that sort would be justified, because all cases have to be considered on the merits of their conditions in relation to the two considerations.
§ Mr. LUNNCan the right hon. Gentleman say what grants are being made to local authorities to provide employment involving either the use of foreign materials or British materials?
§ 49. Mr. LEVYasked the Minister of Health if he will consider sending a circular to the local authorities stating that schemes of work of a revenue-producing character are favourably regarded by the Government and inviting them to prepare such schemes?
§ Sir H. YOUNGI do not think any further communication to local authorities is required having regard to the full statement which I made in the House on the 15th ultimo.
§ Mr. LEVYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the impression among local authorities is that expenditure of all kinds is not encouraged, and does he not think that it is important and necessary that he should correct that impression?
§ Sir H. YOUNGI do not think that, as a matter of fact, that is now the case. I think that the actual state of affairs is now well known to the local authorities owing to the recent pronouncements on the subject.
§ Sir FRANCIS FREMANTLEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider whether he cannot in regard to such schemes as this point the attention of county councils to the fact that in some cases they can do work which has been considered hitherto the work of the district councils?