§ 37. Mr. Buchananasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of staff employed in the new regional water boards set up under the Water (Scotland) Act 1968; and what was the number of staff employed prior to the passing of the Act.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonThis information is not centrally available.
§ Mr. BuchananI am disappointed to hear that, because these water boards were set up some time ago. I thought that some reduction in the staff was part and parcel of the improvement in the administration of the water boards set up under the Water (Scotland) Act, 1968.
§ Dr. MabonAs an expert, my hon. Friend knows that there is no requirement in law that the water boards should tell the Secretary of State what the staff returns are. While I take the point that we would expect some reduction in clerical and financial staff in avoiding duplication and more economic use of consultants, I think we must accept that some undertakings which have been taken over are in a run-down state which would shame some Members of this House.
§ Mr. StodartCan the Minister of State give me any reason, increase or decrease of staff or not, why, in the first year of the water boards, although I have used 10,000 gallons of water less, my water bill has gone up by three times?
§ Dr. MabonI will restrain myself from using the word "lousy" in that regard in conformity with the past in this House, but the hon. Gentleman knows I cannot discuss his affairs in public. We all know the reason why—at least those of us who are aware of the correspondence—but it would not be fair to the hon. Gentleman to divulge it.