HC Deb 11 March 1940 vol 358 c821
25. Mr. Thurtle

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to encourage owners of small gardens and allotments to go in for food growing to the maximum extent, he will take steps to induce water-providing authorities either to abolish or reduce existing charges for the use of a water hose by such small cultivators?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)

Subject to any statutory limitations affecting particular undertakings, the rate at which water, if available, can be supplied for hoses for gardens or allotments is a matter for agreement between the water undertaker and the consumer. Such agreements do not require my right hon. Friend's approval and he has no general jurisdiction in the matter.

Mr. Turtle

is the hon. Lady aware that I was not expecting the Minister to issue orders, but I was expecting that he might issue an appeal to water undertakings to allow small cultivators to get water at a much cheaper rate than at present?

Mr. Levy

Is my hon. Friend aware that where these water undertakings find that their reservoir supplies are running rather short, they prohibit entirely the use of hoses for gardening and agricultural purposes?

Miss Horsbrugh

I am aware of that, and that is the difficulty with which we are faced. In the case of different authorities there may be particular difficulties about supplying water for allotments. I will certainly inform my right hon. Friend of the suggestion that he should make an appeal to the authorities.