§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect his deferment of water authorities' investment will have on the improvement of water supplies and the replacement of unsatisfactory sewers and treatment plants in 1979.80.
§ Mr. FoxAlthough the current reductions in water authorities' investment will necessitate the deferment of some projects, few of these would have been completed within the financial year and therefore no material effect on services is likely to become apparent in 1979.80.
Details of the consequential changes in their capital programmes are being considered by individual authorities having 448W regard to regional circumstances and priorities with a view to achieving the required reductions with the minimum adverse effect on services.
§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total investment programmes for the various water authorities for 1979.80, specifying by how much these will be cut as a result of the new proposals of the Government.
§ Mr. FoxThe revised totals of water authorities' investment programmes for 1979.80 will not be available until consultations with the industry have been concluded. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible thereafter.