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Lords Amendment: No. 22, in page 12. line 25, at end insert:
(2) The reference in this section to action for the purpose of augmenting water resources includes a reference to action for the purpose of treating salt water (whether taken from the sea or elsewhere) by any process for removing salt or other impurities).
§ Mr. Graham PageI beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.
The amendment provides for water authorities to include treatment of salt water in action that they take for the purpose of augmenting water resources. Such provision was contained in the Bill as drawn, but I think it right to make it clear by inserting the proposed subsection (2).
§ Mr. OakesThe Opposition welcome the amendment. I am not sure whether water authorities had this power under the Water Resources Act 1963, but it does no harm to include in the Bill a specific reference to the powers of a regional water authority to spend money on research into using salt water. The hon. Member for Stockport, North (Mr. Idris Owen) said that often in times of drought we worry about our water resources, forgetting that our island is surrounded by water. In addition, we have a duty to under-developed countries, where water is even more precious than it is here, to lead in research into the use of sea water. I hope that this reference will be a constant reminder to regional water authorities to make research part of their programme.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Subsequent Lords Amendments agreed to.