Lieut.-Colonel Amoryasked the Minister of Health the number of schemes sub- 2319W mitted to him under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act of 1944 for providing new water supplies or improving existing supplies; and the amount of the contributions he has so far promised to make towards the cost of such schemes.
§ Mr. BevanI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply of 11th October to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Woolwich (Mr. Berry) of which I am sending him a copy. I hope shortly to be in a position to indicate to the local authorities concerned the amount of the contribution which will be made towards the cost of schemes they have submitted.
§ Mr. Berryasked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take with those authorities who up to the present have not submitted schemes under the Rural Water Supplies Act, 1944.
§ Mr. BevanI am keeping in close touch with the progress made by rural authorities, and I am encouraging them to complete the preparation of their schemes so that work on them may be carried out as soon as the labour position allows. I have no reason to think that these authorities are not proceeding as rapidly as they can with the present shortage of technical staff available to them.