Member

In another time, we used to do these things by Act of Parliament; Thirlmere in the Lake District was brought in by the Manchester Corporation Water Works Act 1879, for instance. I do not suggest that we require full Acts of Parliament every time we build a reservoir—like the Minister, I am keen to see that these things can be built more speedily than they have been in the past—but I do worry about the watering down, if your Lordships will forgive the pun, of protection for our heritage through the Government’s sweeping new proposals introduced last week, which would allow third parties to be contracted on behalf of water companies. We may of course see new applicants that are not as familiar with making significant planning applications or dealing with affected communities as our water companies currently are. The noble Lord, Lord Wigley, asked about the implications for Senedd Cymru and having a company that perhaps was not based in Wales but that could take a decision with significant effect for the community in Wales. I wonder whether some of these third-party companies might indeed be companies not based in the United Kingdom, which may make them less accessible, and it may be less easy for people to speak to them about their concerns. Maybe the Minister will be able to say a bit more about this.