§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what consultations were held with representatives of the management of each of the various water companies in England and Wales prior to the decision to promote legislation to secure their absorption into the regional water authorities;
(2) in the light of the Government's commitment to industrial democracy, if he will now take steps to ensure full consultation with employees in each of the various water companies in England and Wales with a view to ensuring that where the majority of the employees are opposed to the present proposals for the company's absorption into the appropriate regional water authorities, that company should not be so absorbed against the wishes of the majority of its employees;
(3) what consultations have been held with representatives of the employees of each of the various water companies in England and Wales prior to the decision to promote legislation to secure their absorption into the regional water authorities.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe consultative document "Review of the Water Industry in England and Wales" announced the Government's intention to integrate the private water companies with the regional water authorities, and invited views on the method and timing of such an integration. I am at present studying responses to the consultative document, and will take them into account when drawing up plans to implement the Government's proposals.