§ 1. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Health why, in view of the need for the improvement of water supplies in rural areas, his Department is discouraging the Beaminster Rural District Council from proceeding with their water supply scheme for Corscombe and Halstock by deferring their application for a grant on this and on the Netherbury scheme until the whole regional water scheme is considered.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)I am informed that the council are proceeding with the scheme. The deficiency on this and the other work now in hand is not sufficient to warrant a grant, but it will be taken into account if and when other schemes are approved.
§ Mr. DigbyIs the Minister aware that a 1s. 6d. rate is involved in this scheme and that that is a considerable deterrent to rural councils in formulating schemes?
§ Mr. BevanThe amount involved in this scheme is only 2½d. As I have said, we will take this into account with the other schemes when they are approved.