HC Deb 28 June 1966 vol 730 cc1572-3
26. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the progress made by his Department with the desalination of sea water, indicating the commercial and industrial uses to which it will be put.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Technology (Mr. Peter Shore)

Further development of the multi-stage flash distillation process continues, in conjunction with industry, using experimental facilities at Winfrith and Harwell. An additional sea-water test establishment at Troon will be used to improve plant design and to reduce capital costs. Work on other processes continues.

Mr. Hughes

Does my hon. Friend realise that that Answer is rather vague and that it is thoroughly uneconomic to neglect this source of potential wealth which surrounds these islands? Will my right hon. Friend look at the matter from that point of view?

Mr. Shore

I am sorry that my hon. and learned Friend should draw that conclusion from my reply. He will, I think, recall that about a year or so ago my right hon. Friend made a very considered statement to the House about the three-year programme of encouraging desalination, which is being undertaken by the Atomic Energy Authority. That programme is, of course, continuing.

Mr. David Price

What work is the Minister's Department doing in conjunction with firms involve in worldwide market research on possible sales of desalination plant, assuming, as we hope it will be, that the work is successful?

Mr. Shore

We are in close touch with the British firms who have already established an enviable record in this field, and that will continue.

Mr. Francis Noel-Baker

Further to that Answer, would my hon. Friend not agree that this is one field of technological advance in which the United Kingdom is well ahead, and that it has tremendous export potential, with great advantages both economically and politically, given substantial financial backing?

Mr. Shore

I would certainly agree with my hon. Friend. We are doing our utmost to encourage the further technological devlopment of the industry, and we look forward to it not only maintaining but improving on its already excellent export record.