§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total expenditure of the water authorities in England and Wales on river pollution for each year since 1974–75; and what proportion of this expenditure was met from revenue rather than capital expenditure.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThis information is not available in the form requested.
The published water authority and National Water Council reports for the years 1974–75 to 1976–77 give the total revenue expenditure, total capital financing costs and total capital expenditure for each authority in respect of prevention of pollution and specific environmental improvement. The figures in this account cover such items as inspection and enforcement, removal of pollution, laboratory services, research and development and technical services control, but do not include any expenditure on sewerage and sewage disposal which may be attributable to alleviation of pollution or improvement of water quality.