§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of the cost of the regional water authorities going over to direct billing.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI have recently discussed the question of direct billing with representatives of the local authority associations and the water authorities. In the light of that meeting I have asked the National Water Council to supply me with further detailed information about water authorities' direct billing plans. The costs involved vary in different parts of the country for both the water authorities and the local authorities.
§ Mr. Boardmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were employed by the water 306W authorities in the area now covered by the North West Water Authority taking into account those previously employed by local authorities who were employed exclusively on matters concerned with sewerage; and how the figures compare with the 9,000 employed today.
§ Mr. MarksBefore reorganisation of the water industry predecessor authorities to the North West Water Authority employed 5,590 staff in water simply and 1,110 on river authority work. It is not possible to say how many staff in addition were employed exclusively on sewerage and sewage disposal work. Staff dealing with these functions were often engaged on other work, and were not separately distinguished.