§ 15. Sir John Mellorasked the Home Secretary whether he will make a statement with regard to his negotiations with representatives of the local authorities concerning the finance of air-raid precautions?
§ Mr. LloydI am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of a statement outlining the Government proposals which my right hon. Friend sent to the associations of local authorities on the i3th instant. Details of the proposals were published on the following day.
§ Sir J. MellorWill the hon. Member say whether the memorandum is intended to embody the Government's final decision on this matter, and will he give some indication as to the attitude of the local authorities to these proposals?
§ 23. M. Chorltonasked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken to interconnect the water supplies of the industrial districts of Lancashire and the West Riding in case of the damage of any part by air attack; and if a special officer will be appointed to take care of this work?
§ Mr. LloydIn regard to the first part of the question, it is not anticipated that any measures taken to safeguard the water supplies of Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire would include the interconnections to which my hon. Friend refers. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. ChorltonHave any steps been taken arising out of the experience at the present time to carry out further develop, meats in the way of water supply?
§ Mr. LloydI understand that there are ample supplies of water on both sides of the Pennines and that without inter-connection between the two areas there would be sufficient supplies for the purpose the hon. Member has in mind.
§ Mr. LevyWhen the hon. Member says that there is an adequate supply of water does he mean that in the rural areas they have an adequate water supply?