§ 10. Commander Maitlandasked the Minister of Health (1) what action he proposes to take to repay local authorities costs incurred by them in connection with the licensing of civil building;
(2) whether he will consider repaying the expenses of local authorities incurred by them when their own officials or employees carry out investigations and the presentation of cases in court, in connection with Ministry of Health Circular 8/47, dated 20th January.
§ Mr. BevanThe necessary work which local authorities are carrying out is closely linked with the execution of their housing duties and, after consultation with the associations of local authorities, I think that the arrangements for reimbursement which are set out in Circular 8/47 are appropriate to the circumstances.
§ Commander MaitlandBut does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, now local authorities' powers are being progressively reduced and their expenses progressively increased, this is a great pity and that the Ministry ought to pay for what they want done?
§ Mr. BevanThe financial relations between the local authorities and the Exchequer will be dealt with in the revised block grant, and I advise the hon. and gallant Gentleman to await its publication.
§ Commander MaitlandCan the Minister say whether this particular item will be included in the block grant?
§ Mr. BevanNo particular item is included in the block grant. The block grant is designed to divide the financial burden between the rates and the Exchequer.