§ 56. Mr. WELLSasked the Minister of Health whether he will state the highest and lowest rates in rural areas for which a grant in respect of a water supply has been given, showing the amounts in both cases of the rates previous to a proposed scheme and the approximate increase due to a scheme, and the amounts granted by the county and the Ministry?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe highest rate is 22s. ld., and the estimated increase in rates needed to carry out the scheme without assistance approximately 3d. The proposal is a joint scheme for 33 parishes towards the whole of which a lump sum grant of £7,500 has been provisionally allocated on condition that the county council make an equivalent contribution. The lowest rate is 7s. 4d. and the estimated increase in rates needed to carry out the scheme without assistance approximately 3s. 8d. The scheme is a joint scheme for 18 parishes towards which the Ministry have provisionally allocated a lump sum grant of £3,000 and the county council an annual contribution of £487.
§ Mr. LEVYWill the hon. Gentleman tell us what will happen if county councils refuse to make the grants suggested—whether in such circumstances no water supply schemes will be started in those rural areas?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREAs no county council has hitherto refused to make a contribution that is entirely a hypothetical question.
§ 57. Mr. WELLSasked the Minister of Health the total amount granted in respect of rural water supplies to date?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREGrants to the total of £132,500 have been provisionally allocated in respect of schemes for 361 parishes estimated to cost £1,037,000.