§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what advice he gives to water authorities concerning the saving of fuel by selecting sites for new reservoirs whose head of water is high enough to obviate or minimise the need to consume energy in pumping water thence to consumers; and what importance he attaches to this consideration in weighing the merits of alternative sites;
(2) whether he gives either direction or advice to water authorities that. when choosing sites for new reservoirs, preference should be given to those sites which have a high enough natural head of water wholly or partially to avoid the consumption of energy in pumping that water to its consumers.
§ Mr. Denis HowellNo specific advice or direction has been given on this subject, but water authorities, when comparing alternative reservoir sites, will take account of operating costs as well as construction costs and can be expected to opt for the least total cost solution, provided that it is environmentally acceptable.
§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much energy was consumed in the last year for which he has records by water 492W authorities and water suppliers in pumping water from reservoirs to those who made use of it; what percentage of the national consumption of energy this represents; and what is its equivalence in terms of imported hydrocarbon fuels.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThis information is not available.