HC Deb 07 July 1965 vol 715 cc249-50W
Mr. G. Johnson Smith

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the present volume of supply and demand for water in Sussex, and what are the estimated supply and demand in the years 1970, 1975 and 1980.

Mr. MacColl

Information about supply and demand for water in Sussex for all purposes will not be available until the Sussex river authority has completed the licensing of existing abstractions under the Water Resources Act 1963 and has made an intial survey of future demands. The following are figures for the public supply in the area of the Sussex river authority, which is roughly coterminous with the county.

Average demand per day million gallons Maximum reliable yield per day million gallons
1965 53 68
1971 (estimate) 64 70
1981 (estimate) 80 Not available

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans he proposes to agree to in order to increase the supply of water to meet future needs in Sussex.

Mr. MacColl

The Department's officers and those of the Water Resources Board are in touch with the Sussex River Authority and the statutory water undertakers about action for meeting future needs. My right hon. Friend will consider all proposals submitted by these bodies, but he cannot say in advance what plans will be approved.