HL Deb 28 January 1964 vol 254 cc1082-4

2.47 p.m.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask whether Her Majesty's Government have made arrangements to keep in touch with American research and development in the desalination of sea and brackish waters.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have made such arrangements. The Interdepartmental Committee on Hydrological Research has asked the Water Research Association, which is grant-aided by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, to keep a "watching brief" on all developments in desalination from the U.S. Office of Saline Water and other bodies active in this field. Information coming in through these channels can be made available to any organisation or individuals interested in this work.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, arising out of the Minister's reply, may I ask him whether this means that the already overburdened Scientific Attaché in Washington will be expected to take on this work in addition to what he already does? And does it also mean the rejection of the Industrial Grants Committee's recommendation, made as far back as last March and supported by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, that a scientist should be allocated specifically for this particular task in the United States? Does my noble friend mean that that is rejected?

THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

My Lords, in answer to the first part of the supplementary question, the Scientific Attaché in Washington is available to supply information on request, but the major communication is direct between the United States agencies, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Water Research Association. In regard to the second part of the supplementary question—that is to say, in regard to the earmarked grant—this matter is still under discussion between the D.S.I.R. and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, it has been under discussion, then, since March of last year. May I ask the Minister whether some conclusion could be reached, in view of the very great importance and the economic possibilities of the development of this process, particularly as the United States are spending 12 million dollars this year on their own economic development in this field? Surely, even if we cannot spend that amount of money, we can at least spend enough to send one man to watch and keep in close touch with the tremendous possibilities of this process.

THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

My Lords, I share the noble Lord's anxiety in this matter, but in point of fact earmarked grants represent a novel departure by way of Government support of co-operative industrial research, and there has been considerable difficulty in determining suitable conditions. In this case the proposed level of the grant was unusually high—that is to say, a 100 per cent. grant.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, does the Minister think that if I put down a Question again in, say, a month's time, we might get a more hopeful and constructive reply than he has been able to give to-day?

THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

My Lords, I shall certainly discuss this matter further with my right honourable friend the Lord President, and I have every hope that perhaps there may be a possibility of this earmarked grant being accepted; but we must recognise that many experts in this matter do not consider this method of producing water is, in fact, economic. In certain geographi- cal locations it can be so; but in general the experts are by no means unanimous in the matter; and the Americans have not yet made a break-through.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

May I remind the noble Earl that when the Wright brothers first flew people did not envisage flying in jets in a few years, and that the Government really must have some imagination?

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, will the noble Earl urge upon Her Majesty's Government that this matter is of extreme importance, especially for the Commonwealth where large quantities of water are, in many parts, quite unobtainable by any other method? Will he also urge Her Majesty's Government to pay attention to this matter, because if we in this country develop much further we also shall be in great need of very large supplies of water?

THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

My Lords, in answer to both questions, I have been doing so and I will continue to do so.