§ 90. Mr. Cooper-Keyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that certain country areas near Hastings and Rye are still in difficulty regarding water supplies; whether he will expedite in his Department consideration of those applications for permits which will speed the provision of water; and whether he will also give special attention to the application of the Battle Rural District Council to sink the necessary bore holes at Seddlescombe, in order to test whether the water is sufficient and pure enough to use.
§ Mr. MarplesI am well aware of the difficulties about water supplies in this area. In May last the Hastings Town Council were authorised to construct an intake on the River Rother; this is part of a larger scheme which I hope can be started next year. In addition the council have received authority to proceed at once with a trunk water main from Icklesham to Camber. Smaller schemes for distribution mains will be considered as resources of labour and materials permit.
129WThe Battle Rural District Council were asked in September last to send an outline scheme for supplying the area for which they are responsible so that a local investigation might be held to find out whether the proposed borehole source at Seddlescombe would be the best method of providing a supply for parishes in the area. This will be considered as soon as it is received.