§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from outside bodies, including the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, in support of primary legislation, along the lines of smoke control, to deal with the problems of lead in water; and what estimate his Department has made of the cost to local authorities of lead pipe replacement.
§ Mr. AncramI have received such representations from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, from a small number of individual local authorities, and from a member of Edinburgh district council. On the question of costs, it is not possible to make any comprehensive estimate in advance of the cost to local authorities of lead pipe replacement where this should prove to be necessary in preference to, for example, water treatment.