HC Deb 06 June 1967 vol 747 cc783-4
26. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the progress of desalination during the last 12 months with a view to converting sea salt water into fresh pure drinking water for human and animal use.

Mr. Benn

Weir Westgarth has recently been successful with a tender for a large distillation plant of advanced design in Qatar. Developments in electrodialysis, to make it the most economical commercially available process for desalting brackish water, are now being tested in a pilot plant. Britain can now offer these plants with a guaranteed performance up to 6 million gallons per day (U.S.). The A.E.A. and industry are also working on the freeze process. Other possibilities being studied include package plants and ship-borne desalination plants to cater especially for the needs of island communities.

Mr. Hughes

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that constructive Answer, may I ask whether he agrees that Britain, as an island nation, should, especially in time of incalculable war, take account of all the possible resources in the technology of his Department?

Mr. Benn

I very much agree with my hon. and learned Friend. Indeed, at the Water for Peace Conference I attended recently in Washington, the British stand aroused a great deal of interest, and British technical leadership in this field is widely recognised.

Mr. Mawby

Has the Minister considered what a great advantage such a process would be to many seaside areas which suffer shortage of water during the summer? A modern desalination process could assist them considerably in creating an adequate water supply.

Mr. Benn

There are two pilot plants now under construction or in use. There is the sea water test facility at Troon, in Ayrshire, and the 50,000 gallon-a-day plant which has been built in association with William Boby in Essex. We are advancing our technology very rapidly in those areas, and I dare say that the point made by the hon. Gentleman will indicate future commercial use, although it may be a bit early to say.