HC Deb 19 November 1963 vol 684 cc793-4
24. Lady Megan Lloyd George

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the nature of the consultations he has had with the West Glamorgan authorities about further surveys for suitable land to build a reservoir, thus avoiding interference with living communities and good agricultural land.

Sir K. Joseph

It is for the West Glamorgan authorities to decide what surveys they should make of possible reservoir sites and I have had no consultation with them on this.

Lady Megan Lloyd George

Is the Minister aware that there is an alterna- tive scheme which would satisfy all the requirements of West Glamorgan and would not involve the flooding of good agricultural land or threaten any village communities and would, therefore, arouse no opposition? Would he not use his influence with the West Glamorgan authorities at least to investigate this site before proceeding with the Gwendraeth Fach scheme?

Sir K. Joseph

I believe that the West Glamorgan authorities have already investigated a number of sites, though I do not know whether they have investigated the particular site die noble Lady has in mind. But certainly whether or not they have investigated all the suitable sites would be very much a matter to be taken up by me if any inquiry were held into an actual proposition by them to build a reservoir anywhere.