§ Sir P. Hurdasked the Minister of Health, how much was spent out of the rates by rural district councils in the 10 years before the war upon new housing, water and sewerage schemes, respectively; and what was the extent of further schemes which were in preparation when war broke out.
§ Mr. WillinkThe following is the information desired by my hon. Friend:
Expenditure out of rates, block grant and other income not allocated to specific services by rural district councils in England and Wales on the undermentioned services. Year ended 31st March. Housing. Water Supply. Sewerage and sewage disposal. £ £ £ 1930 334,522 407,674 940,149 1931 324,261 365,675 948,364 1932 281,827 373,747 1,013,318 1933 246,096 399,390 1,039,798 1934 226,535 421,224 990,807 1935 307,436 411,439 952,207 1936 410,834 390,234 901,466 1937 433,164 428,812 920,660 1938 451,083 458,663 969,933 1939 482,179 501,395 1,048,243 Total for 10 years 3,503,937 4,158,253 9,724,945 The extent of further schemes which were in preparation when war broke out is perhaps best indicated by the amounts of loans sanctioned during the period 1st April, 1938, to 31st August, 1939. These figures are £9,250,000 for housing, £2,000,000 for sewerage and sewage disposal and £2,150,000 for water supply services.