§ 24. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that there are 377 rural parishes without a piped water supply and five urban districts with an inadequate supply in Norfolk, what steps he proposes to take to co-ordinate plans for an adequate supply of pure water for the whole county in the most economic, efficient and speedy manner.
§ Mr. BevanThe water supply problem in Norfolk is difficult, owing to the scarcity of adequate sources and the wide areas to be supplied. A technical advisory committee comprising representatives of the county and district councils and statutory water undertakings has been formed to advise on the co-ordination of schemes. A number of schemes are under consideration and my officers will give the authorities every assistance within their power.
§ Mr. DyeMay I ask my right hon. Friend, in view of the great need for developing rural supplies, whether the large number of water pipes used in London and other cities for fire lighting purposes could not be made use of in the development of water supplies in the rural areas?
§ Mr. BevanI doubt very much whether those pipes would be suitable in most cases for (he purpose the hon. Gentleman has in mind, but I am sending out to local authorities a new circular asking them to push forward with their schemes in readiness for the labour which will be available next year.
§ Mr. BevanI can assure my hon. Friend that I am as anxious as he is to get these rural water supplies organised, because it will be useless to build houses in rural areas if they have no water supply.
§ 30. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Health, in view of the dropping of the Bill promoted by the Wisbech Water Company, what steps he proposes to take to develop a more satisfactory supply of water for that part of West Norfolk and the Isle of Ely.
§ Mr. BevanThe Bill promoted by the Wisbech Water Company has not yet been withdrawn, but I am informed that the company do not intend to proceed with if. I understand that I may shortly expect to receive alternative proposals under the Water Act, 1945, from the parties concerned and I propose to await their proposals before taking any further action.
38. Mr. 'Williamsonasked the Minister of Health how many villages in the County of Lincolnshire are without a piped water supply; and what information he can give with regard to proposed future development under the provisions of the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944.
§ Mr. BevanThe information in my possession relates to parishes as a whole and indicates that the number of parishes without piped water supplies are as follows:
| Parts of Lindsey | … | 60 |
| Parts of Holland | … | 1 |
| Parts of Kesteven | … | 233 |
§ With regard to future development, schemes have either been prepared or are being prepared by the water authorities concerned for the extension of piped supplies throughout the rural areas in the three counties.