§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of staff employed by the new water authorities; and how this figure compares with the numbers employed prior to reorganisation.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe nine English regional water authorities now employ 53,415 persons, according to the latest available figures. I understand that, in addition, the Welsh National Water Development Authority employs 5,083 persons. The Ogden Report, published in July 1973, estimated that before reorganisation, 75,000 people were employed in the water industry. The figures are not, however, strictly comparable. In particular, certain functions of the water authorities are carried out on an agency basis by district councils and water companies.