43. Mrs. Whiteasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what reply he has made to the complaints submitted to him by the Council for Wales concerning his failure to proceed with his promised review of Welsh water resources.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI stated last February that I was arranging forthwith for my engineers to undertake a technical appraisal of the water resources of Wales. Considerable progress has been made with this investigation. I also stated my intention to set up a Committee to advise me on matters connected with the conservation and use of water resources in Wales.
The membership and terms of reference of this Committee I will be announcing in the near future.
Mrs. WhiteIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that last February he said he would appoint this advisory Committee before the investigating engineers had completed their work? Does he think he need have waited from February to the present date before taking action in this matter? Is he not aware that it has aroused considerable misunderstanding and great irritation in the Principality?
§ Mr. BrookeI am sorry if it has aroused misunderstanding. I have considered this matter carefully. There has been no time wasted. We have been pressing on as rapidly as possible with the technical investigation. I want the Committee to be appointed and to have some positive work to do the moment it meets.
§ Mr. MitchisonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has already got two advisory Committees considering the shortage of water, the water supplies and such matters? Is there any overlap with this new Committee? Does he expect the new Committee to report before or after the two existing Committees?
§ Mr. BrookeI hope the hon. and learned Member will not oppose the giving of special attention to Wales in this matter.