§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the general principles being applied by regional water authorities when seeking amalgamations of internal drainage districts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangI have been asked to reply.
With encouragement from my Department the regional water authorities have been reviewing the internal drainage districts in their areas to see whether there is any scope for rationalisation, including amalgamations. It is for each water authority to determine the general principles to which they should work in deciding whether amalgamations would be desirable. Any schemes submitted to my Department for confirmation will be considered on their merits.