§ Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of his responsibility for ensuring maximum access for the public to places of natural beauty in the Lake District National Park, if he will state the programme of the Manchester Corporation for the building of purification works for the water drawn from Thirlmere and also from other sources; what is the estimated cost; how much of the amount will be paid by the Government; and what is the estimated date of completion.
§ Mr. RipponThe corporation intend to build purification works for each of their major sources of supply. The timing is in the first place for the corporation to decide and my right hon. Friend cannot say when the programme will be completed. The estimated cost of works now under construction is £2 million. Works for Thirlmere might cost roughly the same amount. There will be no Exchequer grant.