§ Mr. Derek Pageasked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he is aware of the proposal that The Wash should be converted into a freshwater reservoir; and if he will order a study of the following aspects of this, namely, the technical feasibility, likely cost, effect on King's Lynn as a port, loss of land by submersion, possible loss of arable land otherwise obtainable by drainage, and the complications which would be introduced in effluent disposal from surrounding areas.
§ Mr. WilleyI am aware of the proposal to convert The Wash by a barrage into a freshwater reservoir. Various studies relating to the long-term water situation in South-East England are already in progress and these will bring into consideration proposals regarding The Wash.