HC Deb 31 March 1971 vol 814 cc375-6W
86. Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many desalination plants he anticipates will be operating in Great Britain by December, 1972.

Mr. Graham Page

None for water supply. The experimental freezing plant at Ipswich, which will be operating in about two years' time, will provide more accurate information in about three to four years' time from now about the costs and the suitability for public supply of the water produced; but on present information there is no immediate prospect of any large contribution to the country's water supplies from desalination.