HC Deb 29 July 1958 vol 592 cc1121-2
15. Mr. Mathew

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is yet in a position to reply to the petition sent to him by the hon. Member for the Honiton Division of Devon, signed by nearly 5,000 residents of Exmouth, objecting to the proposal to take over the Exmouth Urban District Council's Water Undertaking and requesting that the Minister should not take any compulsory action.

Mr. Bevins

My right hon. Friend is considering this Petition, which was received in the Department only a few days ago, and he will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Mathew

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply, but will he urge on his right hon. Friend the examination of this matter with the utmost sympathy, bearing in mind the fact that this is an extremely efficient undertaking, which is run very economically, and that literally thousands of local ratepayers regard the proposal as a forerunner of nationalisation and, eventually, of higher water rates?

Mr. Bevins

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has all that multiplicity of considerations well in mind, and I hope my hon. Friend will be patient and await the reply.