HL Deb 30 July 1984 vol 455 cc643-4WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will confirm that in early discussion about the Severn Trent Water Authority's plans for drainage works on the river Perry, the authority's engineers suggested that the scheme would cost £2.5 million, and produce a return of £3.2 million, and if so, whether these figures have changed subsequently, and why.

Lord Belstead

After examining a number of options, the water authority originally proposed a scheme estimated to cost, at 1979 prices, £1.251m. A broadly similar sum would need to be spent on underdrainage by the farmers in the area, giving an overall capital investment of some £2.5m to yield benefits of £3.2m over a 50-year period. I assume it is to these figures the noble Lord refers.

Following discussion with the Ministry, the authority's scheme was slightly revised in detail and recosted, resulting in their own expenditure being reassessed at £1.21m at March 1982 prices. With field underdrainage costs recosted at £1.53m spread over a period of years, the overall investment became £2.74m, or £2.273m when discounted to current values. This produced a benefit of £2.8m over 25 years, broadly equivalent to £3.19m over 50 years.

Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the cost benefit ratio of the investment in drainage works on the river Perry by the Severn Trent Water Authority assumes that 1,823 hectares will be subject to more intensive agricultural production than is presently the case, and if not, over what area such intensification is assumed to take place, and whether they will state the period within which such intensification is assumed to occur.

Lord Belstead

The capital investment of £1.21 million in drainage works on the river Perry assumes that 1,153 hectares of land will benefit directly from the improved drainage and that the benefits will be at their maximum after eight years. The figure of 1,823 hectares includes benefits to land in upstream tributary areas which will be capable of further improvement.

Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will give details of the dates and nature of the consultations carried out by the Severn Trent Water Authority with North Shropshire District Council and Oswestry Borough Council, about their scheme for drainage works on the river Perry, and what views are expressed by these local authorities about the scheme.

Lord Belstead

Details of the consultations are matters between the Severn Trent Water Authority and the councils concerned.