HC Deb 28 January 1974 vol 868 cc36-7W
Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on current Government policies and targets relating to the cleaning-up of rivers.

Mr. Rossi

The policy of Her Majesty's Government continues to be to restore as soon as practicable the wholesomeness of rivers. As part of this general policy, it can be expected that area targets and plans will be devised by the new water authorities in England and Wales in relation to the resources available to them. These plans have to be submitted to the Secretary of State under Section 24 of the Water Act 1973.

Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reductions in expenditure on the Government's programme to clean up Great Britain's rivers are planned as a consequence of the Government's economy measures.

Mr. Rossi

The greater part of expenditure on cleaning up rivers in England and Wales will be the responsibility of the water authorities from 1st April 1974. As part of the general reduction in public expenditure, the capital investment programmes of the authorities for 1974–75 have been reduced by 20 per cent. below the level which would otherwise have applied under the Government's White Paper on Public Expenditure to 1977–78. Cmnd. 5519.

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Development has also asked the authorities to exercise the utmost restraint on revenue expenditure in 1974–75. These measures mean that planned improvements to dirty rivers which are not to be used for water supply may have to be rephased by the authorities.