§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, on 30th September, 1941, a sum of £3,300 was owing to the Uckfield Rural District Council for the evacuation scheme; that £2,900 has now been paid, of which £1,500 has been outstanding since 31st March, 1941; and whether the remaining sum will now be paid, and a system of imprest arranged, so as to relieve the local ratepayers from the burden of paying for bank overdrafts incurred by the authority in question?
§ Mr. E. BrownIn the particular case cited by my hon. and gallant Friend a sum due to be paid on account was by an oversight delayed in payment. The system in operation provides for the payment of substantial sums in advance based on estimates, final payments being made after audit. While this system must in essence remain, I have always in mind the desirability of making the interim advances in such a way as to assist the financial arrangements of local authorities.