§ Mr. Costainasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the extra daily 34W requirements of water to meet the proposed new developments in the North-West, in particular to meet the needs of the Preston area and Chorley New Town, respectively, differentiating between industrial and domestic requirements: which river authorities will be primarily concerned; and what consultation he has had with them.
§ Mr. MacCollThe new developments, such as that in the Preston and Chorley areas, will not add materially to the water requirements of the North-West as a whole, since what is involved is a redistribution of population. When the size and location of the new town have been worked out more precisely, it will be for the statutory water undertakers to make arrangements for supply, in consultation, as necessary, with the Lancashire river authority. That authority will assume its functions under the Water Resources Act 1963 on 1st April next.