HL Deb 22 June 1978 vol 393 cc1381-3

3.22 p.m.

Lord BALFOUR of INCHRYE

My 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 whether technical and financial support continues to be given for development of desalination plants and whether figures can be given of the value of desalination plant exports from the United Kingdom for the years 1975, 1976 and 1977.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, technical support for development of desalination plants has been provided in the past through Government funded R & D programmes, mainly with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. There are no such programmes in progress at the moment, the last having been completed very recently. Desalination plant development nevertheless continues to be eligible for technical and financial support through the various schemes operated by the Department of Industry. Unfortunately, it is not possible to give the value of UK desalination plant exports, as these are not separately identified in the overseas trade statistics.

Lord BALFOUR of INCHRYE

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, would he not agree that it is rather disappointing that we seem to have come to a standstill as regards Government support for what I believe other Members of your Lordships' House will agree is one of the great new developments of recent years which can be of enormous industrial use to this country, and of enormous value to the parched deserts of the Third World?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I share the noble Lord's view of the importance of this operation and new development. It seems that the relationship at the moment between Government-supported research and development and the input from private industry is not in as good balance as it might be. However, the facilities for Government support are there and can still be called on.

Lord JANNER

My Lords, whilst agreeing very much with the remarks of the noble Lord in relation to the tremendous importance of the development of desalination, may I ask whether Her Majesty's Government are keeping in constant contact with other Governments, and in particular with Israel which is investigating this problem and is to a very considerable extent proceeding towards a possible solution of the whole desalination question? In those circumstances does he not consider that we should spend more than we are spending at present on research, in combination with other countries as well as on our own account?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I can only speak today on the activities of Her Majesty's Government within this country. The point made by my noble friend is, of course, of great interest.

Lord HAWKE

My Lords, in view of the importance of this subject, will the noble Lord see that the figures are kept separate in future? Can it be that our lagging in this field has something to do with the fact that we have been lagging in the field of nuclear exports?

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)

My Lords, we are in advance in the nuclear field.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I will see whether it is possible to get a specific number related to desalination plants, which is a growing major industry. I think that there is no question of lagging. There is no relationship between our activities in the nuclear field and those in respect of desalination.

Lord BARNBY

My Lords, with regard to the question by my noble friend Lord Balfour of Inchrye, would it not be right to say that the British firm that is prominent in this industry is probably the most prominent in the whole world in its progress in new methods of desalination?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, yes, our record is good. We have done well. However, as the noble Lord feels, we could do better.