HC Deb 21 December 1933 vol 284 cc1457-9
16. Mr. LEVY

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the growing seriousness of the water shortage in many districts, he contemplates taking special measures, in conjunction with the local authorities, to deal now with the emergency which has arisen?

Sir H. YOUNG

I am keeping close watch on the position in conjunction with the local authorities. Though there is need for economy in the use of water because of the very exceptional shortage of rain, there is no ground for general alarm. I am urging special measures wherever practicable in those districts where the shortage is serious.

Mr. LEVY

Will my right hon. Friend instruct his Department to investigate directly the conditions prevailing in these waterless areas and see what can be done for them, having regard to the inability of the local authorities to deal with this matter?

Sir H. YOUNG

My hon. Friend is, I think, aware from previous answers on this subject that the investigations of my Department into this question are in continuous progress.

Mr. MORGAN JONES

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that the time has now arrived for a national survey of the distribution of water with a view to making that distribution equitable and, particularly, to conserving adequate supplies for the less financially strong areas?

Sir H. YOUNG

The action that is now being taken in regard to the measures to which I have referred, and that which I shall shortly lay before the House, are more practicable for the purpose which the hon. Member has in view.

Mr. LEVY

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in some districts there are at present large surpluses of water going to waste, where neighbouring districts have none whatever?

Sir H. YOUNG

The object of the Measure which I shall shortly lay before the House is to promote the proper use of resources of the kind.

23. Mr. CHORLTON

asked the Minister of Health if he will use the organisation of the Ordnance Survey for the purpose of a hydrogeological computation of our resources?

Sir H. YOUNG

I am advised that the Ordnance Survey are not equipped for work of this kind. The Ministry, however, already make full use of information at the disposal of the Geological Survey.

Mr. CHORLTON

Will my right hon. Friend himself get into direct touch with the Ordnance Survey, because, if I may say so, I know that the contrary reply has been received from them, and is it not highly important that we should have this complete survey of the water supplies of the country?

Sir H. YOUNG

Undoubtedly every possible source of information is desirable, and the use of every possible organisation for the accumulation of information of the sort is desirable too. From the Geological Survey we derive the most important and useful information.

Brigadier-General BROWN

Is my right hon. Friend aware that great apprehension exists among many villages that, if there is a great scheme, it will take away the water which they have already got; and is it not very important to have a geological survey, if he can, in order to find where the water supplies are, because otherwise we may do more harm than good?

Sir JOSEPH LAMB

Is it not a fact that large quantities of water have already gone into the cities, leaving the country absolutely destitute?

Sir H. YOUNG

I can assure my hon. Friends that the protection of supplies necessary for rural areas is a matter constantly borne in mind, and that the better protection of these supplies for the sake of the rural areas is one of the purposes which it is hoped will be served by the approaching legislation.