§ Major Macnamaraasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at Little Laver, Essex, there are cottages, known as Colvers Cottages, which have been inhabited for the last nine months without water supply; whether he will give reasons for the causes of delay in providing the water: and whether, in future, he will consider the question of allowing local authorities to accept tenants unless they have made proper arrangements for water supply?
§ Mr. ElliotI understand that when the cottages in question, which were erected by the rural district council, were let, it was expected that the arrangements the council were making for a supply of water to the cottages from the mains of the local water company would shortly be completed. Pending such completion, a temporary stand-pipe has been provided. The delay in providing a water supply connected to the houses arose from the fact that this was found to be impracticable under the company's Act, and it has been necessary to adopt the procedure of the Supply of Water in Bulk Act, 1934. The arrangements have now been completed, and I understand that the water456W main will be laid within a few weeks. As regards the last part of the question, I sanction loans for the provision of houses by local authorities only on the understanding that a sufficient water supply will be available.