§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take to deal with the situation where officers of water boards are answerable to no one, and the boards are not democratically elected, so that concern may arise on their competence and methods of accountancy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denis HowellOfficers are answerable to the members of their authority. The authority itself is accountable through Ministers to Parliament. Moreover, each authority contains representatives from the local authorities in the area, who themselves form a majority. Water authorities accounts are subject to502W scrutiny by the district auditor or an approved auditor, and their charges are subject to the Price Commission.