72. Mr. B. Harrisonasked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations what degree of co-ordinated research exists throughout the Commonwealth on salt water conversion; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlportSeveral Commonwealth countries, particularly South Africa and Australia, as well as the United Kingdom, are taking an active interest in salt water conversion. There is close liaison at all times between those engaged in this research. This liaison is conducted through the British Commonwealth Scientific Committee, which is at present meeting in this country; through the British Commonwealth Scientific Liaison Offices in London and in Washington; and through the direct exchange of information and visits. The Washington Liaison Office maintains contact with those engaged in salt water conversion within the United States.
In addition to this continuous liaison, a number of Commonwealth countries participated in the International Water Desalting Group sponsored by the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (O.E.E.C.) and in a specific research project carried out in the Netherlands. A partial consequence of this co-operative research has been the installation of a plant which is understood to be the biggest of its kind in the world, at Welkom in the Orange Free State, for the conversion of 2 million gallons of salt water per day at a cost of less than 2s. 6d. per thousand gallons.