§ 1. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has now come to a conclusion concerning the Dee barrage.
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Thomas)No decision will be made until my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I have considered a report from the Water Resources Board. I understand that the board expects to submit this report next month.
§ Mr. TilneySince many areas of the country look like being short of water, 3 and since this matter has been discussed for many years, will my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that this is a multi-purpose scheme which would bring many amenities to the North West, where they are so badly needed?
§ Mr. ThomasThe Dee scheme goes wider than water storage. As my hon. Friend said, it is a major multi-purpose proposal, and we are looking at all aspects of it.
§ Mr. Barry JonesWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman accept that many of us in North-East Wales only reluctantly accept the concept of this scheme? In East Flintshire in particular we do not want the scheme if we cannot have with it accompanying and alternative new industries? Will the Secretary of State accept that many of us in East Flintshire do not want the scheme simply as a sop for the loss of steel-making at Shotton?
§ Mr. ThomasThe proposals are wide and the scheme is large, and it is not the sort of scheme which would be undertaken in order to deal with the undoubtedly difficult situation which exists in Flintshire as a result of the proposed closure of steel-making.