§ 29. Mr. Heathcoat Amoryasked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to speed up the carrying out of water supply schemes already approved; and where progress is hampered by lack of materials, what is being done to increase supplies.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)Every effort is being made by the Government to increase the overall supply of essential materials upon which the progress of water schemes depends, but the position is such that progress must for the time being be confined to those schemes or parts of schemes which are vitally urgent.
Mr. AmoryWill the right hon. Gentleman make sure that a generous allocation of the supplies available will be granted to water schemes in rural areas?
§ Mr. BevanWater schemes in rural areas have priority for the supply of available material, but we really are dreadfully short of iron and steel for these schemes. Schemes already approved this year will not be carried out unless we can have additional allocations.