§ 20. Mr. Hiltonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many villages in the Mitford and Launditch Rural District Council area, Norfolk, are without a piped water supply.
§ Sir K. JosephI understand that 31 parishes in this rural district are without a piped water supply. Eight of these may soon have piped supplies as a result of schemes which the council have under consideration.
§ Mr. HiltonIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that only one-third of the villages in this area have a piped water supply? Would he not agree that it is a thoroughly disgraceful state of affairs in 1960 that so many people living in rural areas should be denied a decent water supply? I realise that it is the local authorities' responsibility, but could not the Parliamentary Secretary instruct the slack local authorities in their responsibilities and impress upon them the importance of providing a decent piped water supply to people in such areas?
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend would like to see more progress in this area. No doubt the regrouping proposals now being considered will help.