Clause 16 - Publication of application for licence
Water Bill [Lords]
9:45 am
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster, Conservative)
I recall the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Kevin Brennan) having a go at me earlier, when I chose the example of an Olympic swimming pool. The answer to how many swimming pools it would fill is that I do not know; it would depend on the size of the pool.
The hon. Gentleman's point is whether it is the right amount, which is not the issue. What is important is that we do not publish every dam and the change of direction of every stream, because that would be expensive and unnecessary. The information that people require may be hidden by superfluous publication. That is what the amendment is about. It is possible that 50,000 cu m is too much, or not enough; I am probing the Government to find out why every mortal change is to be published.