§ Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware that the Louth Rural District Council are about to commence a water extension scheme for Binbrook; and will he give an immediate assurance that this scheme will rank for grant;
(2) if he is aware that the Louth Rural District Council have completed a water scheme for Cockerington within the last three months for which loan sanction was granted, but without any definite assurance that such works would attract grants under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewage Acts, 1944; and will he give an assurance that all works of this nature which district councils are prepared to carry out will rank for such grants;
(3) if he is aware that, providing the water is available, the Louth Rural District Council would consider linking up Ludford with water from the Ludford Magna aerodrome supply without further delay, since the mains adjoin the village, provided he will give immediate sanction for the work, and particularly the assurance that such work will rank for grant; and will he now give this assurance.
§ Mr. BevanThe eligibility of any particular scheme for grant will depend upon the financial burden which the scheme will impose on the local authority and their ability to bear it. I am, therefore, not in a position to give the hon. Member the definite assurances he asks for until I have had an opportunity of considering in detail the financial implications of the schemes in question. As I have previously informed the hon. Member, I am about to invite local authorities to make formal applications for grant under the Act.