Clause 21.—(EXCHEQUER GRANTS.) (Hansard, 19 October 1949)

§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry, of Health (Mr. Blenkinsop)
I beg to move, in page 28, line 10, at the end to insert: ( ) Subject to such conditions as aforesaid the Minister may make grants to the Seaford Urban District Council for the provision of funds for meeting expenditure incurred by the Commissioners for the Newhaven and Seaford Sea Defence Works. 687 It was understood originally that the case of the expenditure at Seaford would be covered under the Bill as originally drafted, but as we find that in this instance there is some doubt whether it would be possible to make the contribution from the State fund which we intend to make, it has been found necessary to move this Amendment so as to make it quite clear that we should be able to make the contribution towards the expenses of the sea defence works which are now going on at Seaford and which are being carried out under the Newhaven and Seaford Sea Defences Act, 1947. In this case the expenses are incurred by the Commissioners set up by that Act. The Seaford Council raise the necessary money, which is grant-aided. This Amendment is merely to ensure that the money which we intend to be made available to the Seaford Council shall in fact, be made available.

§ Mr. R. S. Hudson (Southport)
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us what is the rate of the grant?

§ Mr. Blenkinsop
That does not arise on this Amendment at all. This is one of the cases to which I referred on Second Reading where we are making a contribution approaching about 80 per cent. of the cost.

§ Mr. Hudson
This is the first case which has arisen under the Bill to carry out the suggestion which we have continually made that the rate of the grant in all cases ought to be the rate the Government are paying to Seaford.

§ Mr. Blenkinsop
Showing how generous we are.

§ Mr. Hudson
And showing how wise we are.