HC Deb 12 December 1935 vol 307 cc1105-6
65. Sir WALDRON SMITHERS

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue a statement giving comparative details of the population and the rate-able value of local authorities of over 20,000 inhabitants, the amount of loans outstanding, with the interest and the dates of redemption, the amount of sinking funds, if any, and the amount of capital in revenue and non-revenue producing activities, with the totals of assets and liabilities for each authority and for the whole country, respectively?

Sir K. WOOD

The statement would relate to more than 500 authorities and its compilation, so far as information is available, would involve an amount of time and labour which I should be reluctant for my Department to devote to this purpose. I will however, send my hon. Friend a statement showing the total outstanding loan debt of all local authorities in England and Wales at 31st March, 1934, the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. MAXTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman send me a copy of that, too?

Sir K. WOOD

With the greatest pleasure.

Sir W. SMITHERS

Is it not of the utmost importance that the credit position of these local authorities should be known?

Sir K. WOOD

Perhaps the hon. Member will discuss the matter with me.