§ 92. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the latest position over the feasibility study for the Wash barrage scheme.
§ Mr. MacCollMy right hon. Friend has given careful thought to the Water Resources Board's recommendation that an early start should be made on a feasibility study and have discussed this with the Board. The Board have now approved the Thames Conservancy Ground Water Pilot Scheme and the first stage of a
279Wsimilar scheme put forward by the Great Ouse River Authority; and four possible reservoir sites are being surveyed. He has come to the conclusion that the right course is to give priority to these investigations because on present information a combination of ground water schemes and a limited number of surface reservoirs holds out the prospect of providing the necessary water more economically than would a barrage across the Wash.
My right hon. Friend has therefore informed the Board that he cannot authorise the Wash barrage feasibility study at this stage, but he will review the matter regularly in the light of the results of the other investigations now being undertaken.