§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many area water authorities in England are at present restricting the use of water; and what reports he has received from the area water authorities of the probable shortfall in water supplies and by how much and in which areas in the next six months.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI understand that five water authorities are currently restricting
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§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the average net weekly rent, after rent rebates have been deducted, in the public sector of housing in England; and what this figure represents as a percentage of average household income, for the years 1970 to 1976;
(2) what is the average weekly rent, before rent rebates were claimed, in the public sector of housing in England; and what this figure represents as a percentage of average household income, for the years 1970 to 1976.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe information for local authority housing in England and Wales is as follows:
the use of water in all or parts of their area.
All water authorities expect to experience shortages during the next six months in varying degrees, but the severity will depend on the rainfall during that period and the effectiveness of measures now being taken to augment supplies. I cannot at this stage make any more detailed predictions, but my Department and the National Water Council are monitoring the situation closely.