§ 83. Mr. J. Grimstonasked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to stop the pumping of water from the chalk of the Chilterns which is lowering the flow of the Rivers Ver and Lea, thus aggravating the pollution of these rivers by industrial and sewage effluents.
§ Mr. BevanBoth catchment areas have been defined by Orders under the provisions of Section 14 of the Water Act, 1945. I am not empowered to restrict abstractions from works that had been constructed before the Orders came into operation, but persons who wish to construct new works for the purpose of fresh or additional abstractions of underground water must obtain licences from me. It is also an offence under the Act for any person in the areas to waste underground water or to abstract water from underground in excess of his reasonable requirements.