§ 42. Mr. Snowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the anxiety of smallholders and farmers in the Canwell area of Staffordshire, arising out of shortage of water for milk production purposes; whether he is aware that the leakage in the existing water supply system, referred 1746 to in correspondence with the hon. Member for Lichfield and Tamworth, has now been discovered and rectified; and what steps he proposes now, in conjunction with the Birmingham Corporation and the South Staffordshire Water Board, to improve the overall supply of water to this area which is still inadequate.
Mr. VaneMy right hon. Friend is aware that there have been seasonal shortages of water on the Canwell Smallholdings Estate. As the hon. Member says, the Birmingham Corporation, which owns the estate and is responsible for its management, has repaired the leakage which was aggravating the trouble. I understand the corporation is considering plans to improve the supply to this area generally.
§ Mr. SnowIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these smallholders, numbering twenty-one, feel that they have been neglected by the Smallholdings Committee of Birmingham Corporation? Is he also aware that already this year one supply of milk has been rejected because of lack of cooling water? Will he ask Birmingham Corporation to expedite and increase an overall supply and not continue to neglect these smallholders?
Mr. VaneLeaving aside the question of neglect, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are in touch with Birmingham Corporation, which is responsible for the management of these smallholdings. The hon. Gentleman will know that my right hon. Friend is not responsible for water supplies, not being the statutory undertaker. As I have said, we have been in touch with the Birmingham Corporation, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that improvements are now being planned.