§ 3.12 p.m.
Lord de CLIFFORDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what water reserves are now being held in the reservoirs in the United Kingdom compared to the same period in 1975; and what action they are taking to ensure the utmost economy in the use 1142 of water by consumers both private and industrial.
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, water reserves in reservoirs throughout England and Wales and in certain Eastern districts of Scotland and of Northern Ireland are in general a good deal lower than they were a year ago due largely to a long spell of exceptionally dry weather. Responsibility for action to ensure economy in the use of water rests with the water supply authorities—water authorities in England and Wales, regional councils in Scotland and the water services branch of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. Some of the authorities in England have already taken action to conserve supplies by imposing bans on the use of hosepipes and a number of drought orders are in force mainly to enable the authorities to obtain additional supplies. The officers of the Departments in England, Wales and Scotland arc in regular contact with their water supply authorities so that they may watch how the situation is developing. They will be watching particularly the situation in Wessex where water supplies in reservoirs are at an exceptionally low level.
Lord de CLIFFORDMy Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for her reply, I begin to feel that I am talking about a situation like the Post Office. Is she aware that overall, as I understand it, the country is short of a rainfall of 10 ins. and the reservoirs are at an extremely low level? While I understand that the water authorities are doing something, may I ask whether she can tell me if the Government will continue to watch this situation?—because we shall be in a very difficult position unless something is done about it.
§ Baroness STEDMANYes, my Lords; the Department are in almost daily contact with the water authorities throughout the country.
Baroness VICKERSMy Lords, may I ask the Minister whether she will state how much water is being taken from the aquifer by boreholes to supplement any shortages in the reservoirs?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, would the noble Baroness be kind enough to repeat the question? I am afraid I did not hear it.
Baroness VICKERSMy Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness how much water is being taken from the aquifer by bore-holes in order to boost the water in the reservoirs?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, I am not in a position to tell the noble Baroness that at the moment, but I will find out and write to her.
§ Lord NUGENT of GUILDFORDMy Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that, in view of the exceptionally slight rainfall this winter, the National Water Council is collecting reports from the 10 regional water authorities and intends at the end of the month to state just what the prospects of supply are?
§ Baroness STEDMANYes, my Lords.