§ Mr. Priorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether in view of the need to keep down costs in the horticulture industry, and of the importance of irrigation, he will consult with the river authorities with a view to removing charges for water at present being levied.
§ Mr. Greenwood:I have been asked to reply.
No. The Water Resources Act 1963 provides that all licensed abstractors of water should contribute, in proper proportions, to river authorities' expenditure in conserving, managing and augmenting the water resources of their areas. This seems to me to be right and fair.