HC Deb 02 December 1987 vol 123 cc924-5
12. Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the size and scope of the National Rivers Authority.

Mr. Ridley

The period for comments on the consultation paper on the National Rivers Authority has now ended. I expect to make a further announcement on its shape and operations this month.

Mr. Pawsey

I thank my right hon. Friend for that typically helpful reply. However, does he accept that it is important that water authorities restructure themselves as early as possible prior to privatisation? Therefore, it would be helpful to them to receive a comprehensive response when my right hon. Friend makes his announcement.

Mr. Ridley

I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. I want to press on with this very quickly, which is why I hope to give the Government's response before the end of the month. It is very important that we should engage the water authorities in active preparations from the beginning of next year. I hope that the Bill will soon be operating, to enable them to co-operate with us.

Mr. Henderson

Does the Secretary of State accept that he faces a predicament on the staffing of the National Rivers Authority, when the water authority chairmen have told him that he needs 20,000 people, not 2,000 people, if the water industry is to be properly regulated?

Mr. Ridley

I must say that the water authorities have different views about whether they think the physical functions for which the NRA will be responsible should be done by the NRA, the water authorities or contracted out. There are three options, and that is the crucial matter that has to be resolved in my response. Estimates of an enormously bureaucratic NRA are totally wide of the mark. We seek to have the minimum body consistent with its responsibilities, which will be very heavy to discharge.