GUILDFORD MP HIGHLIGHTS DISPARITY OF WATER RESOURCES

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 8th Apr 2004

To highlight World Water Day, which took place yesterday, Sue Doughty MP joined Liberal Democrat colleagues to demonstrate the incredible disparity of water across the globe.

Sue said:

"In 2000 more than a billion people worldwide did not have access to safe water and 2.5 billion people had improper or no access to sanitation. That situation will get worse unless we take urgent action.

"While many in the developing world struggle to have even the basic requirement for life, others in the UK, America and elsewhere treat water as if there is an endless supply.

"Later this year in the spending review, the Chancellor must ensure that the UK aid budget is sufficient to put the Government's words into action so that the world's poorest people have access to clean, safe water and basic sanitation."