§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of evidence supplied to him by the hon. Member for Cannock about payments to top members of water authorities, involving £1,000 for each member and £250 for drinks and entertainment, he will advise local water authorities about the granting of expenses to employees.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe payments made to committee chairmen of the Severn-Trent Water Authority have now ended. On the general issue I have already made clear to water authorities the need to exercise restraint in their spending.