§ Mr. Reynoldsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many orders under the Defence Regulations enabling water undertakers to meet their needs by temporary means until permanent works have been completed are still in force; when it is expected that the permanent works will have reached a stage when the orders can be revoked; what are the names of the undertakings concerned; and what are the reasons that made it necessary to issue these orders.
§ Mr. BevinsFour orders are still in force. One order expires on 31st July, 1958; another expires on 10th December, 1958, but its purpose is the subject of a Private Bill now before Parliament. A third order is required until 31st March, 1959; and the purpose of the fourth is the subject of an application for permanent powers under the Water Act, 1945. The undertakers are, respectively, the Metropolitan Water Board, the Tees Valley and Cleveland Water Board, the North Devon Water Board and Matlock Urban District Council. Two orders were made during and just after the war to meet additional needs which arose suddenly from military camps or new factories. Two were made to overcome128W occasional shortages arising during the period before other works were completed.