HC Deb 25 October 1945 vol 414 cc2318-9W
Lieut.-Colonel Amory

asked the Minister of Health the number of schemes sub- 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. Bevan

I 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. Berry

asked 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. Bevan

I 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.