§ 56. Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost of the second public inquiry into the proposed Kielder Water project.
§ Mr. RipponThe known Cost to my Department of the reopened inquiry was £8,500. Since the normal rule is that parties to a public inquiry bear their own costs I am not in a position to estimate the total cost.
§ Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the nature of new evidence submitted to the public inquiry on the Kielder water proposal; and which factors influenced his ultimate decision to approve the scheme.
§ Mr. RipponThe nature of the new evidence and the reasons for my decision, which took account of all the evidence given at both stages of the inquiry, were fully set out in the decision letter. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects construction work on the Kielder water project to commence, and what estimate he has made of the increased building costs involved as a result of ministerial refusal to accept the recommendation of the first public inquiry.
§ Mr. RipponI understand that, subject to the necessary parliamentary proceedings, the Northumbrian River Authority hopes that it will be possible to begin the 155W main construction work in the early summer of 1974.
No relevant or practical estimates of any increased costs can be made.
§ Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by which date he estimates that supplies will begin to flow from Kielder Water to County Durham and Teesside.
§ Mr. RipponI understand that, if it is possible to begin the main construction work in the early summer of 1974, the river authority hopes that water will be supplied by the aqueduct to regulate the rivers Wear and Tees in 1979.