§ 46. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will reconsider his decision not to give notice to county councils when he receives applications for permission to abstract underground water.
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend is not convinced of the need to alter the existing system.
§ Dr. KingIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that since the Regulations were first enacted, the Minister has asked county councils to take an interest in the water supply of their counties and that the county councils are doing this in a responsible way and have appointed water engineers and committees? Will the hon. Gentleman have another look at the request of the County Councils Association so that, before permission is given to somebody to draw vital water from a county, at least the county council should be consulted?
§ Sir K. JosephI am sure that we can have another look at this, but we must bear in mind the interests of the applicants themselves. Many of them, of modest means, already have to inform wide interests and advertise before they can draw such water.