§ Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) why, in his consultations about a convenient date for the Bewl Valley Reservoir Inquiry, he has made no approach to the Bewl Valley Protection Association; and if he will confer with the residents before a date is finally fixed;
(2) if, in view of the eight years of uncertainty about the proposals for a reservoir in the Bewl Valley, he will now take early steps to reach a decision, so that the farmers can plan for the future, and in particular obtain loans from the banks, necessary maintenance can be done to houses and farm buildings, and other essential decisions made by the residents.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI can trace no approach from the Bewl Valley Protection Association in connection with this proposal, but if they can satisfy me that they represent a number of local residents or of objectors to the proposal I will see that they are consulted before a date is fixed. As I said in my Answer on 30th November, no firm arrangements can be made until legislation removes a doubt that has arisen in connection with Section 27 of the Water Resources Act, 1963.—[Vol. 755, c.155.]