§ Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning how many sewerage schemes are in progress in rural areas; how many are at present held up owing to shortage of pipes, and by limitations of capital expenditure, respectively; and what priority such schemes have in the capital investment programme for the next 12 months.
§ Mr. Dalton851 rural sewerage schemes providing for 1,000 parishes at an estimated total capital cost of £12,887,000 have been started since 1945, 340 of which, at an estimated total capital cost of £7,300,000, started during the last two years. A further 90 schemes, covering 133 parishes and costing £2,831,000, will be starting during the next few months. 247 more schemes, at an estimated total capital cost of £6,692,000, have been approved in outline and are now being prepared in detail. Another 650 schemes at an estimated total capital cost of £20,911,000 are not yet ready for approval. Few schemes are being held up specifically by shortages of pipes. The capital investment programme provides a reasonable amount of expenditure for rural sewerage and sewage disposal and every effort will continue to be made to meet the urgent requirements of this service.