§ 42. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Minister of Health whether, in the further powers contained in the Acts for water undertakings, he will see that a clause is incorporated binding the undertaking to put in a connection to an adjacent undertaking or undertakings with the object of securing the mutual 178 advantage of assistant supply in times of drought?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe suggestion of my hon. Friend has been noted though, as at present advised, my right hon. Friend doubts whether it would be either desirable or economical to impose the general obligation suggested.
§ Mr. CHORLTONCan it be given as an instruction?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARENo. I think the position is clear. If it is profitable to inter-connect, it will be done. If not, it will not be done.
§ Mr. LEVYAre we to understand that the subject of water supply is being faced on the question of whether or not it is profitable?
§ 43. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Minister of Health how many times the Regional Advisory Water Committee, formed last year for part of Lancashire and Cheshire, etc., has met since its formation; if the consultative committee for the three regional committees in this part of the country has been set up; and, if not, when it will be?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARETwo regional advisory water committees have recently been agreed, one for North, Central and South-East Lancashire and the other for Cheshire and North-West Derbyshire, following the recommendations made by a preliminary conference of the authorities held in October last. The first meeting of the former committee will be held on the 21st instant, and of the other committee in the near future. It is not proposed for the present to set up any formal consultative committee for the three regional committees in Lancashire and Cheshire.
§ Mr. CHORLTONMay I ask why the consultative committee has not been set up, bearing in mind that the Minister said at a meeting in Lancashire at the end of last year that it would be set up? Why is not that being carried out?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREIt is obvious that it will be set up when there is anything to consult about. The first thing is to ensure that the regional committees undertake their powers, and, when they are in a position to consult, I presume they will do so.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYDoes that mean that we have to wait until some national dis-equilibrium arises before the committee is set up?
§ Mr. LEVYMay I ask whether the Minister is aware that the Yorkshire Advisory Committee passed a resolution to the effect that their work was of no avail, because they did not have any statutory authority?
§ Mr. REMERIn taking note of these matters, is the Minister taking into consideration the industrial requirements of water in the counties of Lancashire and Cheshire?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARECertainly. The policy of the regional committees must be a slow one, because all the local authorities in the area must co-operate. The question of industrial requirements is one of the main points which the regional committees have to consider.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYIs there any reason why progress in this particular area should be slower than elsewhere?