§ 11. Mr. HENDERSON STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolution passed at the recent annual meeting of the Scottish section of the Institution of Water Engineers, calling for early legislation to place the public supply of water in Scotland on an improved basis and urging that adequate grants be made available in aid of approved schemes in rural areas; and, since this view coincides with that expressed by the County Councils' Association of Scotland in their recent interview with the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he proposes to take to meet this urgent need?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI have received the resolution and am considering it along with the representations made by the Association of County Councils, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.
Mr. STEWARTWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this matter is of very vital importance in connection with housing, which he has promised to press forward?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am well aware of the close connection between water supply and housing, but I would remind my hon. Friend that the Government found public money for the water supply a year or two ago.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware, that due to the opposition of the small burghs of Fife, it was made impossible, even to have an inquiry 709 into the advisability and practicability of pooling Fife's water resources; and will he agree to call again upon the local authorities in Fife with a view to getting this question satisfactorily settled?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am well aware of the differences of opinion which have arisen in the last year or two, between different associations in Fife on this matter. My office has been in touch and will continue to keep in touch with the representatives concerned, with a view to finding a common solution of this urgent problem.
§ Mr. HENDERSON STEWARTWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is not a Fife problem only, but that it affects nearly every rural district in Scotland?
§ Mr. WESTWOODMay I have an answer on the point that there was a provisional promise given, as the result of a deputation which met the Secretary of State, that a conference should again be called if there was any change in public opinion in Fife on this matter?
§ Sir G. COLLINSAs I said, my office has been in touch with the position within the last few weeks. We shall readily call a conference, if it appears to hold out any reasonable hope of success, and I shall consider the point put by my hon. Friends.