§ 25. Lady Megan Lloyd Georgeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he proposes to make orders under the Water Resources Act, 1963, to set up river authorities for the appropriate areas.
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I expect to make orders fixing theconstitution of the river authorities in the summer of 1964, and to bring them into existence in the autumn so that they may exercise their functions from 1st April, 1965.
§ Lady Megan Lloyd GeorgeDoes the Minister not really think that the whole purpose of the Water Resources Act, to plan resources for large areas, will be undermined if great schemes of this kind are allowed to proceed even before the Act is in operation?
§ Sir K. JosephWe really have no power, nor would it be right, to defer essential investigations carried out by water authorities in preparation for making proposals to me for schemes, but when it comes to making actual proposals I will certainly bear in mind the purposes and principles of the Act.
§ Mr. WatkinsWould the Minister consider not supporting any Private Bill 795 from a water undertaking till the Act's provisions have been put into operation?
§ Sir K. JosephThat really is a different question.