§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received a letter from the West Midlands joint committee urging the increase of 131W representation on the new water authority for the West Midlands district councils from two to four so that Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton could have one member each; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe proposed formula for the representation of local authorities on regional water authorities is not based primarily on population, or rateable value. It is designed to give representation to both county and district councils in such a way as not to make the overall membership of regional water authorities unduly large. The adjustment proposed would upset this balance and we do not therefore regard it as acceptable. My Department has replied to the committee in these terms and I am send-ing the hon. Member a copy.