HC Deb 09 March 1950 vol 472 cc466-7
29. Mr. Cooper-Key

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to meet the urgent demands in certain rural areas for adequate water supplies.

Mr. Bevan

A large volume of work is already in progress to provide water supplies in rural areas. Schemes to a total value of £29,000,000, and serving some 4,300 separate parishes, have been approved in England and Wales since the end of the war. I recognise the urgency of this work, and shall continue to authorise new schemes to the full extent that available resources permit.

Mr. Granville

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to implement the reference to the supply of water to rural areas in the King's Speech? If so, when?

Mr. Bevan

Any question as to when legislation is to be introduced in the House of Commons should be addressed either to the Prime Minister or to the Leader of the House.

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

How does the Minister reconcile the figure of £29 million for schemes approved with the fact that he has spent only £45,000 in the last four and a half years?

Mr. Bevan

The hon. and gallant Member is as inaccurate as usual.

Several Hon. Members

rose

Mr. Speaker

I just want to point out that the House cannot have it both ways. Either there can be lots of supplementaries, and very few main Questions answered; or there must be fewer supplementaries so that more main Questions may be answered. We have had a lot of supplementaries today—although I know that there have been points of order and also some rather contentious Questions.