HC Deb 08 February 1934 vol 285 cc1284-6
39. Major MILLS

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that offers of help in locating springs and supplies of water throughout the country have been made by the Society of British Dowsers; and whether he proposes to avail himself of any such offer in cases of local shortage of water or to pass on to local authorities the information that such help is freely offered?

Sir H. YOUNG

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the local authorities are primarily responsible for the technical methods adopted in carrying out schemes of water supply, and on the information before me, I do not think it would be useful that I should recommend the employment by them of dowsers.

Major MILLS

Has my right hon. Friend appreciated, in saying he will not bring this offer to the notice of the local authorities, that the more regular way of finding water by geological survey is expensive and takes a long time, whereas the dowsers—I must plead not guilty to practising that art myself—do find water at shallow depths, where it would be most readily available in the shortage envisaged in the coming months.

Sir H. YOUNG

The considerations which the hon. Member refers to and the evidence on the subject are within the knowledge of local authorities.

Mr. LAWSON

Can the Minister say what a dowser is?

41. Mr. JOHN

asked the Minister of Health how many, and which, rural district councils have reported a serious shortage of water since last May?

Sir H. YOUNG

The Ministry have since last May received information of serious shortage of water from 44 rural district councils. With permission, I will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. LEVY

Do I understand from that reply that of the 519 rural councils in the country only 44 are suffering from a water shortage?

Sir H. YOUNG

No, Sir; I do not think anything of the kind can be implied by what I stated in my reply to the question.

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