§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of the economic situation, he will urge economies in the expenditure of regional water authorities, such as the Severn-Trent and Anglia proposed expenditure on non-urgent schemes of brook improvements, etc.
§ Mr. StrangI have been asked to reply.
Water authorities are already aware of the need for economy in carrying out their functions. It is for them to decide which land drainage improvement schemes they will carry out within their overall capital allocations. When schemes are submitted to my Department for grant aid we need to be satisfied that the cost of the work is justified in relation to the expected benefit.