§ 41. Mr. CLEARYasked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to safeguard the country against the dangers of another possible drought?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe average total rainfall for the country as a whole for the six months ended 31st March last, the critical months for the replenishment of water supplies, was above the normal, and urban water undertakers generally are in a good position. Should the necessity arise, powers are available to them to obtain additional water supplies with despatch under the Water Supplies (Exceptional Shortage Orders) Act, 1934, which remains in force until the end of the present year. The primary need in the rural areas is for permanent supplies. Good progress is being made under the Act of last year and the total capital cost of schemes for which State grants have been provisionally allocated is now £3,200,000 for schemes in 1,100 parishes.