§ 23. Mr. C. Hughesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will give details of the number of water supply schemes and sewerage schemes in England and Wales and the capital cost thereof in each year since 1955.
§ Sir K. JosephAs the information includes figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The table gives the total estimated cost of water supply schemes and sewerage schemes which my right hon. Friend has authorised in each of the years 1956 to 1959. I regret that information about the number of schemes authorised is not readily available.
The cost of water supply schemes carried out by water companies which do not require my right hon. Friend's authorisation is not included in the totals.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not the fact that there has been a progressive reduction in expenditure on this important matter during the last three or four years? Will the Minister reconsider the whole subject, in view of the very real need for improvement, especially in the rural areas?
§ Sir K. JosephNo, the trend is an upward trend both in real and in nominal terms.
§ Following is the information:
| TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF SCHEMES AUTHORISED IN ENGLAND AND WALES | ||
| Year | Water Supply | Sewerage |
| £m. | £m. | |
| 1956 | 20.1 | 18.0 |
| 1957 | 17.8 | 24.9 |
| 1958 | 19.6 | 32.6 |
| 1959 | 23.9 | 38.9 |