§ Mr. Whiteasked the Minister of Health whether he can make any statement with regard to the inquiry which he addressed to local authorities concerning their plans for public works and development in the next five years; and if authorities have now completed their returns?
§ Mr. ElliotBy 31st May returns showing provisional programmes of capital expenditure covering the five years commencing 1st April, 1938, had been received from 1,791 local authorities, representing nearly three-quarters of the whole. The estimated capital cost of the works provisionally included in these programmes would be about £827.000,000. The completion of outstanding returns has been delayed by the pressure of work at present falling upon local authorities with respect to Civil Defence and other matters.