§ 24. Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring forward proposals for legislation to impose a duty on regional water authorities to provide adequate water supplies throughout their areas without recourse to water guarantee schemes.
§ Mr. Denis HowellLocal authorities have been able, since 1945, to require statutory water undertakers to accept financial guarantees and to undertake expensive water supply schemes which local authorities consider should be carried out. I would not support either the restriction of local authority opportunities of this sort or the imposition on water authorities of an unlimited responsibility to carry out schemes regardless of cost.
§ Mr. BeithWill the Minister at least change the practice of his Department so 442 that it does not withhold grants in cases where water undertakings do not require guarantee schemes before proceeding with the provision of the water supply? Does he not agree that since local authorities have been advised not to increase expenditure, they are not in a position to undertake guarantee schemes? If the situation whereby many villages in the Wooler area of Northumberland have no water supply continues, that will serve as another illustration of the fact that the water reorganisation was an expensive mistake.
§ Mr. HowellI am inclined to agree with that last point. Circumstances have not changed in the hon. Gentleman's constituency. Water is supnlied by the Newcastle and Gateshead Water Company. There is no change there. However, the hon. Gentleman's first point is new to me. I shall look into it.