§ 45. Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is the policy of his Department to encourage water authorities to buy agricultural land to farm on their own account.
§ Mr. MarksWater authorities can buy land for uses connected with their functions. It is a matter for their day-to-day management whether such land is also used for farming.
§ 50. Mr. Bodyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to rename the "Water Authorities" "Water Services".
§ Mr. Denis HowellI am still considering the comments on the Consultative Document, the "Review of the Water Industry in England and Wales" and will take note of the hon. Member's suggestion. A number of these make the point that there is a need, with which I sympathise, for water authorities to be made more directly answerable to the public.