§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Minister of Health the extent to which local authorities are incurring fresh expenditure other than for war purposes; and whether, in view of such expenditure and the need for economy, his Department is issuing any advice on the subject?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have no precise information in this matter, but the total of the loans for capital purposes which I sanctioned during the year ended 31st March last only amounted to 8 per cent. of the total during the year ended 31st March, 1939. Before sanction is given I require to be satisfied that the work is of such urgent necessity as to warrant, in present circumstances, the call on labour and materials involved. I have no reason to think that local authorities are not fully aware of the need for economy, and in view of the strict control of capital expenditure I do not contemplate the issue of advice on this subject.