§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many dwellings in England and Wales are without a mains water supply; what is the cost yardstick per dwelling to supply water in rural areas; and whether there are any special remoteness grants available.
§ Mr. Denis HowellNo precise information is available about the number of dwellings without a mains water supply although the number is believed to be proportionately very small. There is no cost yardstick per dwelling as such but grant is available under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts towards costs up to £615 per property incurred in the extension of rural water supplies.
§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the statutory provisions governing the provision of a mains water supply in rural areas of Great Britain.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe main statutory provisions relating to the provision of208W mains water supplies in rural areas in England and Wales are Sections 36 and 37 of the Water Act 1945 and Sections 29 to 31 of the Third Schedule to that Act, Section 11 of the Water Act 1973 and the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts 1944 to 1971.