§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to avoid a further drought during the next extended period of sunshine.
§ Mr. Denis HowellA drought is a period of time with virtually no rainfall. It is not within the competence of the Government to control such weather, but only to mitigate its effects. The proposals described in the National Water Council's report "Water Supply Prospects for 1977", published on 18th October, are very relevant and I shall be making a statement about them shortly.