§ Mr. Gurdenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he has sent to the city of Birmingham's protest at the cutback in capital expenditure by the Government for the Severn-Trent Water Authority.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe water authorities, in common with other public sector bodies, have been subject to a cutback of 20 per cent. in capital expenditure this year imposed by the previous administration. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my letter to Birmingham District Council about the representations it has made to me regarding restrictions on capital expenditure on water services.