§ Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the number and cost of rural water and sewerage schemes for which grant approval has been postponed since 1st January, 1956; and if he will give a revised estimate of the total grant allocation for these purposes in the current year compared with the previous five years.
§ Mr. SandysOne hundred and fifty-six schemes to the value of £5.8 million have been postponed since 1st January, 1956. For the time being authorisations are being severely curtailed, except where risk to health, safety or other vital interests renders it impracticable to do so. Each scheme submitted is scrutinised in the light of these considerations and I cannot estimate how much work I shall authorise in the current year.