§ 25. Mr. C. Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the system of water rationing now in force on Ascension Island.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Julian Amery)Each member of the English or St. Helenian community gets 8 gallons a day and, in addition, each household gets another 8 gallons.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not the case that European employees on the island get 8 gallons of water a day each, and 8 gallons for use in their houses, but that the St. Helenians get only 1½ gallons, and one-quarter of a gallon of hot water, if available? If so, why should there be 194 this differentiation between one section of the community and the other? Would the Under-Secretary look at this question again, as it is giving rise to considerable resentment?
§ Mr. AmeryMy information is that there is no such discrimination; that each member of the English or St. Helenian community gets 8 gallons a day, and, in addition, each household, whether English or St. Helenian, gets 8 gallons a day.
§ Mr. HughesBut is not the hon. Gentleman aware that when I visited this island last August the situation was as I have described it? Has there been a change since then?
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the hon. Gentleman reply to the Question? Is there any inequality at all in the provision of a water supply to the people on this island, whether English or otherwise?
§ Mr. AmeryI have tried twice to tell the House that, according to the information in my possession, there is no discrimination.
§ Mr. ReynoldsWhilst it may be true that the ration for the British population is 8 gallons a day each, is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a British base on the island for over 60 years and an American base there for only 5 years, yet the American ration is 50 gallons a day? Will he look into this situation, and see if we can at least do as well as the Americans?