HC Deb 02 July 1957 vol 572 cc876-7
30. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will establish a joint water board for the whole of the Wolverhampton area of supply on which all local authorities in the area can be represented.

Mr. H. Brooke

I have given notice of a proposal to make an order under Section 9 (2) of the Water Act, 1945, providing for the compulsory transfer of the water undertaking of the Bilston Corporation to the Wolverhampton Corporation. Objections to this proposal have been received from a number of local authorities to the effect than any order that is made should provide for a joint board as suggested in the hon. Member's Question. The proposed order will be the subject of a public inquiry, and meanwhile it would be wrong for me to comment.

36. Mr. C. Hughes

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the results of the representations made by him to water undertakings in England and Wales to build up stronger administrative units in the water industry by regrouping.

Mr. H. Brooke

Since the issue of Circular 52/56 last September, five orders for voluntary amalgamation of water undertakings in England have been made and another four orders are before me awaiting public inquiry. I have made three draft compulsory orders; none of these has yet been confirmed. Well over half the water undertakings in England are now concerned in discussions on regrouping.

In Wales, no orders have yet been made or submitted, but virtually all the water undertakings are concerned in discussions.