HC Deb 27 November 1972 vol 847 cc1-3
1. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how soon in the new year he expects a decision to be made on the multi-purpose Dee reclamation scheme.

35. Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects a decision to be made on the Dee crossing scheme.

The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Thomas)

Decisions will be taken in the light of the Water Resources Board report on national strategy for water. This report is expected early in the New Year.

Mr. Tilney

As I was given almost exactly the same answer a year ago, is it not time that the Government came to a decision on this matter of immense importance in the North-West from the point of view of both amenity and unemployment?

Mr. Thomas

As I told my hon. Friend in a recent letter, water storage proposals are an important element of the multipurpose Dee estuary scheme. For that reason it is right that one should see the report of the Water Resources Board on national strategy before a decision is taken.

Mr. Jones

Will the Government please quit stalling on this important matter? Is the Secretary of State aware that on Dee-side there is a state of total strangulation of traffic, as these photographs which I can show him prove? Is it not feasible for a road to be constructed immediately and a reservoir later?

Mr. Thomas

There is no question of stalling. The Water Resources Board's report is expected to be sent to Ministers early in the New Year and to be published certainly by the spring of next year. As soon as the board's recommendations are known, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I will press ahead with an evaluation of the rôle of the Dee estuary in the national strategy alongside alternative possibilities for water supply. I assure the hon. Gentleman that there will be no avoidable delay in reaching a decision on the Dee Estuary project. It is right that we should reach a decision on that before pressing ahead with any new river communications scheme.

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