§ 8. Mr. Hayasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will discourage the use, in circulars issued by his Department, of the words "potable" 1789 and "non-potable" as a description of water supplies when presumably "drinkable" and "undrinkable" is meant.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI do not much like either word. I am advised that "potable" has become so well established a term among those responsible for water supplies that there is some risk of confusion if it were changed.
§ Mr. HayDoes not my right hon. Friend think it highly desirable to get back to plain English? Since the circular in question will go out not only to those who normally understand a particular meaning but to others as well who might have some difficulty in understanding it, might not some change be made? Also, can my right hon. Friend say whether the word should be pronounced "po-table" or "pot-able"?
§ Mr. MacmillanIt is desirable to use plain English, but I assure my hon. Friend that it is very unusual.