§ 2.42 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 whether, in view of the early spring drought, which has seriously affected agriculture and the environment, they are satisfied that water authorities and other bodies have adequate plans to prevent the effects of a drought like that of 1976; and what steps they are taking to ensure minimum inconvenience to the public, horticulture and agriculture.
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, the dry weather in April and May has led to water supply problems in some parts of the country, because of the unusual demand on distribution systems. However, there is no general shortage of water. Impounded stocks are higher in most areas than in 1976 and ground water levels are above average for the time of year. In some areas increased demand has resulted in temporary restrictions on the use of hose-pipes, and in a relatively few areas a deficiency of resources has led to the water authorities concerned taking action under the Drought Act 1976 to seek orders to enable them to conserve supplies in order to minimise inconvenience to consumers.
Lord DE CLIFFORDMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply, and appreciate that we have been having rather peculiar weather lately. But is he aware that in the border counties of Wales and England the water has just managed to get down to the potato level? Is he also aware that if we get a shortage in the future there may be great difficulties in these areas?
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, I am upset about the level of water not reaching the potatoes. But, quite honestly, the water supply to farmers has been arriving from the water authorities. If the water supplies of his higher lordship God are not reaching the noble Lord's potatoes, that is something which this Government cannot help.