§ Mr. Piratinasked the Minister of Health how many regional advisory water committees have been set up under the Water Act, 1945; how many more will be required in order to cover the whole of England and Wales; and when it is intended to set these up.
§ Mr. BevanI have not yet constituted any such committees. Detailed surveys of the resources and supplies of a number of areas with common interests have been made by my inspectors, and similar work has been carried out by consulting engineers on behalf of a number of county councils. In both cases, the work is continuing. The information thus obtained, including detailed proposals for the future194W supplies and administration of the areas concerned, is communicated to the interested authorities for their consideration. Several working parties of technical officers of water undertakings have also been formed to consider the requirements of areas with common problems. A departmental committee has investigated the circumstances of the Greater London area, but has not yet reported to me. It is impossible to say, until the results of these measures are known, how many statutory committees will be required and when they will be constituted.