§ 73. Mr. J. H. Hareasked the Minister of Health in how many cases the default powers under Section 13 (3) of the Water Act, 1945, have been exercised as against rural district councils and other local authorities, respectively.
§ Mr. BevanNo orders have been made. A public inquiry is being held this month in respect of a rural district council.
§ Mr. HareAm I right in assuming that the Minister is satisfied that the local authorities have done all they can to pursue these water schemes, and is it right to assume, therefore, that the delay which has taken place is due to the fact that the Government have not given proper priority to rural water schemes?
§ Mr. BevanIf the hon. Member will put a Question on the Order Paper asking for a comparison between the provision 562 of rural water supplies in the last 3½years and in 1938, I will give him the answer.
§ Mr. HareThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. Is it right to assume that he has not thought it worth while to exercise the powers given to him if he considers that these schemes are not properly carried out?
§ Mr. BevanThe hon. Member is perfectly right in assuming that co-operation between the Ministry of Health and the rural authorities is providing sewage and water supplies as far as our physical resources will permit.