HC Deb 15 July 1947 vol 440 cc195-6
7. Mr. E. P. Smith

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the annual cost of sending an Army water wagon daily from Shorncliffe to Dungeness, a distance of some miles, in order to load with water from the Dungeness mains and deliver it a few hundred yards to the insanitary tanks set up in the fishing village of Dungeness to supply those inhabitants de- prived of their access to wells arising from oil pollution caused by the bursting of the Pluto pipes; and whether he will give an assurance that his promise of a year ago to the hon. Member for Ashford to supply these people with main water will be implemented during the lifetime of the present Parliament.

Mr. J. Freeman

As regards the first part of the Question the annual cost is approximately £500. As regards the second, my Department has done everything possible to help, but the work which is being undertaken by the water company is held up owing to circumstances which neither I nor they can control.

Mr. Smith

In view of the difficulties which have been encountered by the present Secretary of State for War and his predecessors in office in solving this complicated problem, would the Financial Secretary give an undertaking that this shall be placed very high on the first agenda of the new National Planning Council?

Mr. Freeman

I do not know whether that would be the proper way of solving this particular problem but I am sympathetic and I know the position well. The difficulty now is simply the provision of lead piping for the water and I think that is being obtained as quickly as possible.

Mr. Bossom

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there are any other cases of inexcusable waste similar to this?

Mr. Freeman

I neither accept the implication in that question nor can I make any statement on it.

Mr. Smith

In view of the extraordinary reply of the hon. Gentleman I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.