HC Deb 26 March 1953 vol 513 cc899-900

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."— [Mr. Redmayne.]

6.58 p.m.

Mr. Arthur Palmer (Cleveland)

The subject I am raising this evening is principally important in the local sense; it is a matter of water supplies in the Cleveland district, particularly East Cleveland. But, in raising the question of water supplies in my constituency, I am not unmindful that the situation is probably typical of many districts where water supply arrangements, which were perhaps satisfactory 50, or even 30 years ago, are now unsuited to meet the needs of developing industry and growing population.

There will be hon. Members present at this moment who know the coastal area of the North Riding, particularly the extreme northern coastal tip approaching the estuary of the Tees. They will know that that area is not only an agricultural area but also that it is a still developing industrial district. It is physically and geographically a rather difficult dstrict, I admit, from a water supply point of view. The area with which I am particularly concerned this evening embraces several small towns and villages with names which, I think, denote the Danish origin of the ancestors of the present population—places like Loftus, Skelton, Carling How, Brotten and Skinningrove. The statutory water supply authority is the Cleveland Water Company and there are also several private supplies of varying quantity and. unfortunately, of varying quality.

It being Seven o'Clock, and there being Private Business set down by direction of The CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS, under Standing Order No. 7 (Time for taking Private Business), further Proceeding stood postponed.