Welsh Lords challenged Defra minister, Lord Benyon, last week on the level of control Welsh authorities would have on any future transfer of water from Wales to south east England.
Plaid Cymru’s Lord Wigley said: “We in Wales fully recognise the needs of south-east England for adequate supplies of drinking water, and that it may need additional capacity from Welsh reservoirs and agreed flows of waters down rivers emanating from Wales. However, will the minister accept that it is not unreasonable for Wales to receive fair financial benefit for such water supplies and that development control over any such projects in Wales should be in the hands of Senedd Cymru and the relevant local authority?”
Labour’s Lord Griffiths of Burry Port also called for “a co-ordinated and focused policy with proper consultations and with a key role for the Senedd especially”.
Lord Benyon said Defra and the Welsh government collaborate on water resources; that Water Resource Management Plans will be referred to both the English secretary of state and Welsh ministers later this year for sign off; and that there are long established protocols on water transfers and associated payments.
He did not respond to the Senedd point specifically, but offered the assurance: “We treat these negotiations with the Welsh government, Welsh organisations and local authorities very seriously and, I hope, with respect.”
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