§ 26. Lord SCONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the County of Dumfries has received over £49,000 of the £137,500 provided for the improvement of Scottish rural water supplies; and whether he is satisfied that the Dumfriesshire ratepayers can be reasonably asked to contribute the remaining £180,000 which is required to carry out the approved schemes?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)In considering applications for grant under the Rural Water Supplies Act, 1934, the Department of Health for Scotland had regard to two factors, namely:—(1) the need of each of the areas concerned for a public water supply or an improved water supply from the point of view of public health and housing, and (2) the burden of rates in the area. The grant of £49,417 offered to the Dumfries County Council was allocated on this basis. In regard to the second part of the question, I am satisfied that the amount which the ratepayers will be required to contribute if the offers of grant are accepted bears a reasonable relation to the contribution by the State.
§ Lord SCONEWill my hon. Friend state whether from these figures one may assume that the County of Dumfries was 1752 previously in a worse position with regard to water supply than any other part of Scotland?
§ Mr. SKELTONI have already told my Noble Friend the considerations on which the grant is decided, and I think he can make the deduction for himself.