§ 11.5 a.m.
§ THE EARL OF ALBEMARLEMy Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if they will arrange for consultation between the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation upon the possibility of the increased use of canals as pipelines, or partially as pipelines, for the water industry.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, the use of canals as pipelines, or partially as pipelines, for the water industry is a matter within the terms of reference of the Bowes Committee on Inland Waterways. Her Majesty's Government will give very careful consideration to any recommendations of the Committee on this subject.
§ THE EARL OF ALBEMARLEMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for his reply, I should like to ask the following supplementary question. Is he aware that the object of the Question is to suggest an alternative to expensive trunk main water, which for a 3-foot pipe runs at a cost of £45,000 a mile, according to the area and terrain covered?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I am aware of this, and while not wishing in any way to prejudge the decisions or recommendations of the Committee, I feel that I must warn my noble friend that it is doubtful if there will be much scope for using canals as pipelines for water supply; their carrying capacity does not seem to be great enough.