asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of his circular letter dated 27th October, 1945, to local authorities intimating postponement until 31st March, 1946, of the date for receiving applications for grants under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944, he will consider and approve or disapprove each scheme as soon as possible after it is submitted and will give an undertaking that all schemes so approved will receive a grant under the Act.

My right hon. Friend is prepared to consider water schemes as they come in from the local authorities, but until he can see the complete picture as reflected in the proposals of local authorities as a whole he is, I am afraid, not in a position to determine the rate of grant for each approved scheme.

:Does the hon. Gentleman realise that this will seriously postpone putting into effect a number of schemes unless local authorities have some idea of the extent to which the Treasury will contribute?

We take the view that we cannot make a grant in respect of one scheme and give different treatment in the case of another one which may come along a month later. We take the view that we should treat the matter as a whole, and local authorities will not be unduly hampered because they will all be equitably treated.