§ 21. Sir D. Rentonasked the Minister of Technology what progress has been made in the search for methods of large scale desalination of water; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BraySteady advances are being made in multi-stage flash distillation which is the best process for sea water conversion in the present range of plant capacities. This type of plant has been built in a number of places abroad, the major part of the capacity by British firms. The most promising alternative processes have now been identified and their likely development during the next decade are being assessed.
§ Sir D. RentonCan the hon. Gentleman say what is now the estimated likely cost per thousand gallons of producing desalinised water by the method which he has mentioned, and when we are likely to have that method in mass production?
§ Dr. BrayNot without notice. The economics depend on the costs of alternative supplies, and plainly such places as Kuwait where those costs are very high can be expected to be among those which make an economic case soonest.
§ Mr. MaxwellWhile congratulating my hon. Friend on the support which his Department gives to desalination research and technology, can he say what steps are 207 being taken to bring about market research to discover which countries could use the equipment? In particular, can he say what assistance is proposed to be given to British industry in order to ensure that the countries needing it have the necessary finance?
§ Dr. BrayExtensive market investigations have been made, by the Ministry of Technology, the Atomic Energy Authority and the firm of Hawker Siddeley, which is now assisting Weir Westgarth in the overseas marketing of desalination plant.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeDoes the hon. Gentleman recognise that all that he has said about desalination is of particular importance in the context of the proposal for a Wash barrage, and that if the work on desalination can be accelerated enough it should be possible to save a great capital outlay and provide a cheaper water supply at the end of it?