§ Lord BOYD-CARPENTERasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the efficiency and costings of water authorities are open to investigation by the Public Accounts Committee 1738WA or by the Nationalised Industries Committee of the House of Commons.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Baroness Birk)The proceedings of water authorities are open to investigation by the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries, which indeed is examining them at this moment. Water authorities' accounts are subject to the same audit procedure as local authorities, that is to say by the District Auditor or by an approved auditor.