Drought Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lord Stoddart of Swindon
Main Page: Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Stoddart of Swindon's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Drought
Lord Stoddart of Swindon Excerpts(12 years, 9 months ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Stoddart of Swindon
Will the Minister ensure that water companies do not close existing storage capacity for developing housing and other things? In particular, will he get in touch with Thames Water, which is closing storage capacity in Reading?
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
I do not know the details of the particular case to which the noble Lord refers, but it is certainly useful to be advised of that. Thames Water is not in as acute a situation as some of the other water companies. Indeed, it is helping out water companies in Essex by transferring water from its area to Essex. This co-operation between water companies is a very good strategy, and one which the Government are anxious to encourage.