HL Deb 18 May 1971 vol 319 cc208-10

2.40 p.m.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in the feasibility study of the Morecambe Barrage scheme.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)

My Lords, the Water Resources Board, who are responsible for the feasibility study, have now received reports from the Morecambe Bay Economic Study Group, the consulting engineers (Sir Alexander Gibb and Partners) and the Natural Environment Research Council. The Board recently visited the area and discussed various possibilities of storage in the estuary with those immediately concerned. The possibilities, which include a full barrage right across the Bay, smaller barrages crossing the Kent and Leven estuaries and pumped storage reservoirs off the Cartmel Peninsula and Silverdale coast, are all described in the Board's Seventh Annual Report. They, and combinations of them, all have advantages and disadvantages. These are now being weighed. The Board hope to publish their Report in the summer.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, in view of the considerable shortage of water which now exists in the North-West, and the potential shortage which is likely to become a very real problem to this land, can the noble Lord say when the Government are likely to make up their mind to get on with this admirable plan?

LORD SANDFORD

Yes, my Lords. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment expects to reach decisions next year on a programme for the development of water resources in the North up to the end of this century.

LORD POPPLEWELL

My Lords, will the Report which is to be published this summer give an indication of the likely cost, which will be the most important factor in deciding whether to go ahead? Also, will the Government give an assurance that they will look very sympathetically indeed at providing considerable financial assistance, in order to bring to fruition some of the projects that will be reported upon?

LORD SANDFORD

Yes, my Lords. Of course. the relative costs of all these schemes are among the advantages and disadvantages which will have to be weighed.

LORD INGLEWOOD

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend to bear in mind that, however admirable some of these schemes may be from an engineering point of view, there are a number of people who live in the area whose interests must not be overlooked when the interests of those who will need increasing supplies of water are being considered. There must be some balance found between the two.

LORD SANDFORD

Yes, my Lords. I think my original Answer indicated clearly that it is those who are immediately concerned who are alrady being consulted, and their interests will be borne in mind.

LORD WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell us whether the Government are also carefully studying the problems of desalination, because it seems that one has a number of alternative ways of getting water which would be fit for use throughout the country? As this is so vital a matter for the whole country, it would be interesting to know what the Government are doing about it.

LORD SANDFORD

Yes, my Lords, I can confirm that; but if the noble Lord wants any further details, I should prefer him to put down a Question.