§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take in the light of the report from the Water Research Council suggesting that about one quarter of all water entering the mains in Great Britain is lost during transmission because of undetected leaks.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI think the hon. Member has in mind a Press report following an "open day" at the Stevenage laboratory of the Water Research Centre, which was subsequently corrected by Dr. R. G. Allen, the Director of the Centre, in a letter published inThe Guardian on 19th May. However, my Department and the National Water Council have established jointly a Technical Working Group on Waste of Water which of course covers the issue. The Group's first report will probably be published in September; further action will depend upon the Group's recommendations.
§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take in the light of the 1181W warnings from the Cooling Water Association concerning the waste of industrial water.
§ Mr. Denis HowellWe made clear in the House during the debate on Second Reading of the Drought Bill the importance we attach to avoiding waste of industrial water. I know that industry will do all it can in this crisis to cut down on consumption.