HC Deb 27 July 1978 vol 954 c937W
Mr. Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what resources he is able to make available to regional councils which are running desperately short of water.

Mr. McElhone

Any water authority experiencing, or seeing a threat of, a serious deficiency of water supplies because of exceptional shortage of rain can apply to my right hon. Friend for an order under the Water Act 1958 authorising various measures, including taking water from a source, suspending or modifying restrictions on taking water, and supplying water by standpipes or water tanks. No water authority has recently applied for such an order.