HC Deb 16 December 1943 vol 395 cc1688-9
57. Sir Percy Hurd

asked the Minister of Health whether the development plans now being submitted by rural district councils include the completion of water and sewerage services in rural parishes in all appropriate cases; whether adequate Treasury grants will be continued; and whether provision is also to be made for cheap electricity in rural parishes generally for lighting, domestic and agricultural uses?

Mr. Willink

If my hon. Friend has in mind the short-term housing programmes now being submitted by rural district councils, the possibilities of providing water, sewerage and other public services are borne in mind in selecting the site. Public services will be provided for the new houses wherever they are reasonably available. I have recently notified the authorities that I am prepared to examine proposals for urgently needed post-war schemes for water supply and sewerage and sewage disposal. In reply to the second part of the Question, the Government recognise the special difficulties as regards piped water and sewerage in rural areas, and will consider sympathetically at the appropriate stage, whether it is possible in suitable cases to ease the financial burden of the capital cost of schemes for sizeable groups of houses. The third part of the Question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power.

Sir P. Hurd

Is my right hon. and learned Friend urging upon the Minister of Fuel and Power the imperative necessity for having cheap electricity in these rural areas?

Mr. Willink

I will consider that point.

58. Sir P. Hurd

asked the Minister of Health how much has been spent out of the rates by rural district councils upon housing, water supply and sewerage schemes, respectively, in the most recent appropriate period?

Mr. Willink

The expenditure out of rates, block grant and other income not allocated to specific services by rural district councils on housing, water supply and sewerage schemes for the year ended 31st March, 1940 (the latest year available) was £520,026, £581,131, £1,115,623 respectively.

Sir P. Hurd

Would it not be more desirable to give figures for a period of five or ten years before the war?