§ Mr. Tylerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will exercise his power under Section 4(10) of the Water Act 1973 to direct that the National Water Council should withdraw any advice it has given to water authorities on salaries, conditions of service and fringe benefits for senior executives;
(2) if he will exercise his powers under Section 5(2) and (3) of the Water Act 1973 to direct that the South West Water Authority should review the salaries, conditions of service and fringe benefits offered to senior executives.
§ Mr. Denis HowellAs I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 11th April—[Vol. 872, c.316.]—these are matters of internal management for the water authorities subject to the Pay Code and any views about the salaries of staff which may be expressed by the Pay Board. The advice by the National Water Council has been directed towards ensuring consistency between the authorities.