HC Deb 04 November 1948 vol 457 cc1022-4
39. Mr. Donner

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the anxiety of all those affected by the proposal to make a large reservoir in the Enborne Valley, he will publish the bore-hole findings relating to the nature of the subsoil in this area.

Mr. Bevan

These findings are the property of the Metropolitan Water Board and will no doubt be made available by them in the event of their seeking powers to construct this reservoir. Otherwise, the question of publication is one for them.

Mr. Donner

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Metropolitan Water Board has refused to divulge this information to the Hampshire and Berkshire County Councils, and what possible reason can there be for withholding this information from people whose farms and homes are at stake?

Mr. Bevan

It is entirely a matter for the Metropolitan Water Board to determine whether it will make this information available. Before action can be taken we would of course know what the technical facts are, and that is the best protection for the public.

Mr. Prescott

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proposal to flood this valley was taken by the Socialist majority on the Metropolitan Water Board against the express advice of the chief engineer? Is he further aware that if the plan goes through, the house which he occupied for so many years will be completely obliterated?

Mr. Bevan

It is a monstrous abuse of Parliamentary privilege to attack a statutory undertaking for something which, in my respectful submission, it has not yet decided to do. There has been no decision on the part of any authority to flood any valley whatsoever. All that is happening is that, under the law, preliminary investigations are being made. The law provides for the protection of the public by a public inquiry before any action is taken.

Mr. Berry

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this report has not yet been presented to the Metropolitan Water Board and that the Board is not in a position to decide whether it should be made public or not? Is he further aware that the decision to have these preliminary borings made was taken in the fashion used by the Board since its foundation in 1903?

Mr. Donner

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Metropolitan Water Board for this information and make it public? If he will not, will he state why not?

Mr. Bevan

Because the Board is one party to a claim. It may, when it has the technical report, decide that it is not worth while proceeding with this scheme. The Metropolitan Water Board may be an applicant for certain powers. There will be objectors to those powers and an inquiry will be held. Then the Minister of Health has a judicial position under the Act and it would be quite improper for me to bring pressure to bear at this stage upon one side or the other.

Mr. Prescott

As a member of the Metropolitan Water Board, and knowing more about this matter than the right hon. Gentleman, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.