§ 47. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he proposes to take on Hydro-geological Report No. 4 which shows that only 8 per cent. of the groundwater resources of the Yorkshire Ouse River Basin are developed, and that 775 million gallons per day remain to be deployed as and when required.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe groundwater resources of 775 m.g.d. are theoretical and can only rarely be developed to the full. Much of this water issues naturally and could be taken only at the expense of river flows, some of which are already used for public supplies. Another large proportion infiltrate other aquifers, such as the coal measures, and may suffer deterioration in quality and could only be made available with difficulty. In its survey of water resources under Section 14 of the Water Resources Act 1963 the Yorkshire Ouse and Hull River Authority has surveyed the most promising areas and 53W has recommended new investigations and the extension of investigations now in progress. These are being examined by the Water Resources Board. The amounts likely to be available after investigation are not large in relation to the requirements of the area.