§ Mr. Hordernasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are now employed by the Southern Water Authority; and how many were previously employed by the various constituent water boards that now make up the Southern Water Authority, at the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of staff employed in the financial year 1973–74 by the authorities which now constitute the Southern Water Authority: and what is the number of staff at present employed by the authority.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI understand that the number of people employed by the Southern Water Authority is 4,200. There were only three water boards in its area before 1st April 1974, which employed 528 people.
On water supply the total number of staff employed before reorganisation by predecessor authorities was 1,466 and the number employed by river authorities was 1,148.
It is not possible to give a figure for staff employed by local authorities on sewage disposal since staff employed were frequently also employed on other functions, especially sewerage which is 174W still carried out on an agency basis by local authorities.