§ Mr. Moneyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the future of desalination of water.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe Water Resources Board's report was published yesterday. Having reviewed in depth present desalination techniques, it has concluded that, on the best information now available, desalination cannot be foreseen as making any substantial contribution to the augmentation of water resources in England and Wales before the end of the century. Compared with water from other sources, that produced by desalination is many times more expensive. My right hon. and learned Friend has accepted the board's recommendation that experimental work should continue on new processes and my Department is supporting the development of desalting techniques for water treatment. The Government are also seeking European collaboration in this sphere.