§ 19. Mr. BERNAYSasked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position to make a statement on the water shortage in England?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)My right hon. Friend is advised that the position over a large part of the country, the North and East, Wales and the West and the South-West, as well as part of the Midlands, is generally better than it was a month ago. The South and South-East have not shared in the improvement. He has no reason to think that water undertakers will not be able to meet the situation, provided consumers play their part by reasonable economies in the use of water; the co-operation so far given by them accounts largely for improved conditions. In rural areas with defective supplies, the authorities should expedite measures for permanent schmes, with the grant available under the Rural Water Supplies Act.
§ Mr. LEVYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, while we are battling with drought because of the lack of water from the heavens, the Minister of Mines is battling with the problem of flooded coal mines; and that it is only a question of developing our subterranean resources?
§ Mr. LOGANIs the Minister aware that there appears in the Press to-day a report of the Liverpool City Council meeting yesterday showing that a neighbouring borough has refused to be economical in the use of water drawn from the Liverpool supply; and is the Minister going to take action in regard to the borough of Wallasey?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREPerhaps my hon. Friend would communicate with me about that matter.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLIs the Minister satisfied that the provision made in the last Act dealing with this matter is satisfactory, and that it enables local authorities to promote works for the provision of water?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe powers conferred on local authorities and statutory bodies under the last emergency Measure are ample for the purpose.
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBIf the Minister believes that the powers are ample, does he also believe that the rural authorities are making the best use of them to-day; and is it not the trouble that some of the authorities do not use the powers that they have?
Major LLOYD GEORGEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are urban districts which cannot get any assistance under these provisions and that they are just as short of water as the rural areas?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe Measure applies alike to urban and rural authorities, and the powers are the most drastic that have been conferred in recent years.
Major LLOYD GEORGEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are certain urban districts which cannot get grants at all under this particular scheme?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman has been confusing two Acts. There is the Emergency Water Supplies Act and there is the permanent Rural Water Supplies Act.
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREindicated dissent.