§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will arrange for a special independent investigation into the special payments being made to a selected few of the higher paid executives of the Thames Water Authority; and to what extent cuts in these payments would be in accord with the Government's declared policy of reducing expenditure in public authorities.
§ Mr. Denis HowellNo. It would be wrong for me to comment on matters which are now being examined by the district auditor.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will cause an investigation to be made into the expenditure of £1 million by the Thames Water Authority to a selected few of its top paid executives to see to what extent these special payments are contrary to the Government's social contract.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI understand that the auditor is at present examining the accounts of the Thames Water Authority. In these circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to make any comment.