§ 1. Mr. Tudor Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will initiate discussions with a view to amending the Water Resources Act, 1963, to relieve the hardship being encountered by people who have to pay an annual fee of £5 to river authorities for abstracting water.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Edward Rowlands)Preliminary discussions are taking place concerning possible amendments to the Water Resources Act, 1963, and these include the question of the licence fee.
§ Mr. WatkinsHave all the river authorities in Wales, in addition to the Severn and Wye River Authorities, shown interest in this?
§ Mr. RowlandsI cannot speak for all authorities, but consultations are going on among ourselves, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the Water Resources Board and the Association of River Authorities.