asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what guidance and financial help he proposes to offer to the councils of boroughs and urban districts in small towns whose sewage disposal system renders them liable to prosecution under the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act, 1950, but which cannot afford to install a proper sewage disposal system, as their rates are already too high and the cost would, for them, be prohibitive.

This would depend on the circumstances of each case. My right hon. Friend's officers are ready to discuss local sewage disposal problems with any authority in need of guidance.