§ 68. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now make a 266W statement about the proposals for a Dee crossing scheme.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I have been giving the most careful consideration to the proposals for the development of the Dee Estuary which were published last year. The water storage proposals in particular are of wide significance and should properly be considered in a national context, alongside alternative possibilities for water supply. The Government have, therefore, concluded that a decision on the scheme should not be taken until the water storage aspects can be more fully evaluated in the light of the Water Resources Board's report on national strategies for water, which is expected early next year. In the meantime, further studies will be undertaken of the likely costs and benefits and in particular of the need for improved communications between North Wales and Merseyside.