§ Sir L. Lyleasked the Minister of Health whether he can give any indication of the proportion of water undertakings in this country which at present provide consumers with water of a reasonable standard of softness; and, in view of the importance of this matter from the point of view of health and efficiency, what steps he proposes to take to ensure that in due course water of a reasonable standard of softness is supplied universally in this country.
§ Mr. WillinkMy information as to the precise degree of hardness of different supplies is incomplete, but I am advised that there is no reliable evidence that the use of hard water for drinking purposes is prejudicial to health.