§ Mr. Whiteasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what has been the result of the public inquiry into the proposals of the county education authority for compulsory purchase from the Penglaise estate in Aberystwyth of a site for the new girls' secondary school; what is the area of this land and 856W the increase of local government financial obligation or to endeavour to limit the increase in any way?
§ Mr. BernaysYes, Sir. About £682,000,000 of the total increase was incurred in respect of housing including small dwellings acquisition) and trading services. At the same time the net increase in expenditure since 1920 falling on rate funds in respect of these services, which are, of course, largely reproductive, was £2,100,000. As regards the last part of the question every application by a local authority in England and Wales for my right hon. Friend's sanction to the borrowing of moneys for the purposes of carrying out capital works is carefully scrutinised, full consideration being given to the need for the works, the amount of expenditure involved, the financial position of the authority, and all other relevant factors.