Water Scarcity

HC Deb 28 January 1998 vol 305 cc338-9

8. Mr. Ottaway

If she will make a statement on measures to address water scarcity in developing nations. [23865]

Clare Short

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising this very important issue. As he knows, water scarcity is a critical issue for many developing countries. Twenty per cent. of people lack access to clean water and—this is very serious—on current trends, two thirds of the world's population will face water shortages by 2025, with the pain and conflict that that might cause. We have a special responsibility through our presidency of the EU to work with the Commission for Sustainable Development to reach international agreement to conserve and share water resources equitably and to meet the international target of providing clean water and sanitation to all by 2015. I shall attend the ministerial and expert meeting hosted by France in March, which will help to build support for an international programme of action.

Mr. Ottaway

From that answer, I am sure that the right hon. Lady will agree that water scarcity is the sleeping tiger of the world's environment programmes, with water consumption increasing at twice the rate of population growth. May I draw her attention to the Population Action International report, which illustrates that population programmes are an effective way of conserving the world's resources, especially water, by stabilising population growth and protecting the environment?

Clare Short

The hon. Gentleman is right. Our commitment is to give access to basic health care and reproductive health care to the whole population of the world and to let people take control of their own fertility. When that is done and people can raise healthy and educated children, population levels fall because people know that their children will live and be safe. We must also take action on water: the projections for water consumption are greater than for population growth and we must move on both fronts. We intend to ensure access both to reproductive health care and to clean water and sanitation for everybody in the world.

Mr. Pike

What projects in the world for desalinating water to make it fit for drinking are the British Government helping?

Clare Short

I have to tell my hon. Friend that I cannot answer his question. Desalination is relevant in some places, but tends to be very expensive. The challenge is not only to provide water to everybody, but to get agreement on the world's use of its water resources. Otherwise, we will have a security problem as well as one of human suffering.

Mr. Brooke

What danger does the Secretary of State see of international warfare due to water scarcity during the coming decade?

Clare Short

The right hon. Gentleman points out the logic of the figures on water scarcity by 2025, which will be a serious problem. We need an international programme of action in respect of the world's shrinking water resources. That has been a priority since the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly special session on environment and development. If we fail to get such an international agreement, as well as pain and suffering, there will be conflict across the world over water. [Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

Order. The House must come to order.