Mr. Edward M. Taylor:

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what are his proposals for the nationalisation of municipal water undertakings.

The Government are not yet ready to bring forward reorganisation proposals.

Mr. Taylor:

Can the Minister say when these proposals will be made? Will he bear in mind the fact that several Scottish municipalities have over the years incurred substantial costs in ensuring a permanent cheap supply of water; and in view of the fact that residents in those areas are expressing alarm at the possibility of a substantial rise, in some cases a doubling of the charges, which would result if there were standardisation of water charges on a regional or national basis, will the Minister consider excluding Scotland when the time comes for any such proposals?

I am not in a position to say when these proposals will be made, but before they are all relevant interests will be taken into account.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that he is responsible not only for water conservation, as we have been told, but for water supply as well?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made a statement about the allocation of responsibilities and a further statement, about water, will be made in due course.

Is it not a fact that the nationalisation of water supply would mean setting up a bureaucratic pyramid on top of what is already there, and would not this have to be paid for and be added to the cost of water supply?

The right hon. and learned gentleman seems to have a misinformed view of the intentions of the Government.