HC Deb 17 November 1971 vol 826 c417
46. Mr. Boyden

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the amount of grant to the Northumbrian River Authority for the construction of the Kidder reservoir and the Tyne-Tees aqueduct.

Mr. Peter Walker

I will make an announcement as soon as possible after receipt of the relevant technical and financial information from the authority.

Mr. Boyden

In view of the extreme importance of this scheme for the whole region, and especially for industrial development, will the right hon.. Gentleman give an undertaking that the grant will be substantial and that he will consider sympathetically the application coming before him?

Mr. Walker

I recognise the importance of this decisison, but I think the hon. Gentleman will realise that I cannot commit myself until I have the information for which I asked last April. I shall make a decision as soon as I receive that information.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that he is willing to receive representations on this matter in view of its very great importance to all of us in the North-East?

Mr. Walker

After the information has been received, I shall be pleased to receive the hon. Gentleman's representations if he wishes to make them.