HC Deb 20 July 1964 vol 699 cc35-6W
Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he intends to lay before Parliament the Order under the Water Resources Act relating to the new composition of the Thames Conservancy; who are the present members: and to what extent he

CONSTITUTION OF THAMES CONSERVANCY
Appointed by Number of members now Number of members under the order
LOCAL AUTHORITIES:
Berkshire C.C … … 2 2
Buckinghamshire C.C … … 2 3
Gloucestershire C.C … … 1 —
Hampshire C.C. … … 1 1
Hertfordshire C.C … … 2 3
Oxfordshire C.C. … … 2 1
Surrey C.C … … 3 4
Wiltshire C.C … … 1 1
Oxford C.B.C … … 1 1
Reading C.B.C … … 1 1
Two Joint Committees of riparian boroughs and urban districts … 4 —
Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow L.B.C.'s … … — 1
Kingston, Richmond L.B.C.'s … … — 1
London C.C … … 1 —
Middlesex C.C … … 3 —
City of London Corporation … … 1 —
Total local authority appointments … … 25 19
MINISTERS:
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food:
Persons qualified * in respect of—
(a) land drainage … … 4 3
(b) agriculture … … — 2
Housing and Local Government:
(a) Persons qualified * in respect of public water supply: nominated by Metropolitan Water Board … … [6 direct appointments] 3
others … … 1 3
(b) Persons qualified * in respect of industry other than agriculture … … — 3
(c) Person appointed after consultation with users of Thames for recreation. … … [see next below] 1
Transport:
Persons appointed after consultation with:
(a) users of Thames for recreation … … 1 [see next above]
(b) users of Thames for barge traffic … … 1

2
(c) boat builders or boat letters … … 1
(d) owners of pleasure boats privately used … … 1
Total ministerial appointments … … 9 17
OTHER BODIES:
Metropolitan Water Board … … 6 [3 by M.H.L.G.]
Port of London Authority … … 1 1
Total others … … 7 1
TOTAL NUMBER OF CONSERVATORS … … 41 37
* "Qualified" means having had experience of, and shown capacity in, or otherwise having special knowledge of, matters which relate to the subject named as it affects the Thames catchment area.

intends to reduce the number and representation of the members.

Sir K. Joseph

My right hon. Friends the Ministers of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and of Transport and I laid before Parliament on 16th July, the Order conferring new functions on the Thames Conservancy and providing for alteration of its constitution. The table following compares the present constitution with that contained in the Order. 1 am sending separately to my hon. Friend a copy of the Conservancy's list of members.