§ 35. Mr. Eggarasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made in denationalising the water authorities.
§ Mr. GowI announced in answer to my hon. Friend on 3 April in column 668–69 that a discussion paper had been sent to water authority chairmen and to the chairman of the Water Companies Association. I hope that they will be able to reply by the end of this month. Meanwhile, I have set up an official working group which is examining the issues involved.