HC Deb 26 January 1967 vol 739 cc350-1W
83. Mr Alfred Morris

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what recommendations have been made to him by the Water Resources Board concerning the Morecambe Bay and Solway Firth barrage schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hall-Davis

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether, following publication of the consulting engineers' reports on their desk studies on barrages across Morecambe Bay, he will authorise a full feasibility study embracing fieldwork and hydraulic model studies.

Mr. Booth

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what conclusion he has reached on the need for further study of the feasibility of an estuarial barrage to provide water from the north of the country.

Mr. Jopling

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he will make a statement on the report of the study which he has received on the Morecambe Bay and Solway barrage schemes.

Mr. Willey

The consultants' reports of the desk studies on barrages at Morecambe Bay and Solway Firth, together with a covering report by the Water Resources Board, have been published today. The Water Resources Board recommend that a full feasibility study of a barrage at Morecambe Bay should be put in hand. I am consulting the North West Economic Planning Council about the precise nature of the study.

Generally speaking, there are considerable drawbacks to storing river water at its mouth, when it has had most opportunity to become contaminated and has to be pumped back before it can be used, and such an expedient has virtually never been adopted, in this country or elsewhere. Nevertheless, it appears that in the exceptional circumstances of Morecambe Bay such a project may be the right answer, and the Government have asked the Board to proceed with a full feasibility study. It is estimated that this will cost about £500,000 and will take about 3½ years. If such a barrage is constructed, it would not only supplement water supplies for Manchester and areas served by Manchester but for other parts of the North of England.