Clause 85 - Water conservation by public authorities
Water Bill [Lords]
9:00 am
Mr Robert Key (Salisbury, Conservative)
My hon. Friend's clear explanation of the reason for his amendment is reinforced by amendment No. 166 in my name.
It would be very difficult for us to justify not placing a duty on the Secretary of State—that is the point—but we need to be tougher about that. The time has come when this country must take the issue seriously; either we are serious about it or we are not. For once, rather than listening to the cautions of officials and lawyers, we should have the courage of our convictions to say that water conservation shall be a duty—as simple as that—not ''if and when it might, possibly, one day be desirable, if the sun is shining on alternate Thursdays'', which seems to be the attitude with which we are saddled. I strongly support the amendment tabled by my hon. Friend, and I hope that the Committee will also support amendment No. 166.