HC Deb 25 July 1966 vol 732 cc1184-5
7. Sir D. Renton

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources when he proposes to publish the report of the Water Resources Board, which has now been in his possession for some weeks.

Mr. Willey

The Board's report on water supplies in South East England will be published tomorrow. I will with permission circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement of the Government's views on the recommendations in the Report.

Sir D. Renton

Does that mean that a definite decision will be given about the future of Abbottswood Reservoir tomorrow? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all farming improvements are held up until a decision is taken?

Mr. Wiley

The right hon. and learned Gentleman should await the report which will be published tomorrow and the statement which, as I said, is being circulated today.

Following is the statement:

The report is an invaluable contribution to the solution of the urgent water problems in this critical area. The Board, and the Technical Committee on whose work the report is based, are to be congratulated.

The report contains an estimate of water needs, for the public supply, industry and agriculture, to the end of the century, and a comprehensive survey of resources.

The region as a whole has the resources to meet most of its needs up to the year 2000. But a central zone, stretching from Northampton south to Greater London and east to the Ipswich area, has a large deficiency which must be met by imports from elsewhere in the region or from further afield.

The report contains a progressive development programme. This covers, first, works to secure the position for the next decade and, second, investigations to be completed as soon as possible so that the strategy for the years thereafter can be determined.

The Board are following up their recommendations with those responsible for putting them into effect. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and I look to all the river authorities and water undertakers concerned to proceed as rapidly as they can.

We attach special importance to the pilot ground-water schemes in the Thames and Great Ouse areas. If, as the Board hope, large additional supplies can be obtained from underground in these areas, then, with the exception of one major scheme, less land need he used for big new surface reservoirs. We therefore hope that the Thames Conservancy and the Great Ouse River Authority will press on urgently with these pilot schemes and that all public bodies and individuals whose co-operation is needed will afford it.

If the Board's hopes for ground water are not fulfilled, new surface storage is the only alternative which can be ready in time to meet demands in the 1970s. It is therefore essential that a number of possible sites for reservoirs should be investigated now. I emphasise that investigation of a site does not imply that a reservoir will necessarily be built there.

Finally, the Board has considered the longer term possibilities, including the transfer of water to the south-east from other parts of the country, and a barrage across the Wash. Arrangements for further study of these are now being considered. There is also desalination, which is the subject of research both here and abroad.