85. Mr. Clifford Williamsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the increase in demand for water for domestic and industrial purposes of the past 20 years and of the limited number of places now available in the country for the storage of water, if he will make a statement on the number of desalination plants which have been installed, on the gallonage they treat per annum, and on the price of such water as a commercial proposition.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThere are no desalination plants in this country producing water for general supply. However, the Water Resources Board, which will be reporting fully on desalination in a few months' time, advise that the cost of desalinated water will be some twice to three times the estimated average level of costs between now and the end of this century of water from conventional sources. It considers therefore that desalination is unlikely to play a large part in meeting increased demands during that period, although there may be scope for special applications of desalination.