§ 11. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to announce the result of the inquiry into the Central Flintshire Water Board's Dee Extraction Scheme.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasA reply will be sent to the Central Flintshire Water Board as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Barry JonesWould not the Secretary of State agree that it is a miserable state of affairs when a Cheshire authority can extract water from the Dee but a Flintshire authority cannot? Is he not also aware that water rates in my constituency are rocketing up because we have to buy water from a Cheshire authority which extracts that water from the Dee? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman end his vacillating and indecisive attitude and make a decision on this important matter?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasAs I have said, complex engineering and financial questions are involved—
§ Mr. Barry JonesThat is not good enough.
§ Mr. Peter Thomas—and the need for consultation inevitably causes some delay in reaching a decision, especially when capital expenditure is in the region of £1.8 million.
§ Mr. Barry JonesIn view of the indecisive reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek an early opportunity of raising the matter on the Adjournment.