§ 38. Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals to improve the public accountability of regional water authorities.
§ Mr. Denis Howell:Water authorities are accountable through Ministers to Parliament and their charges are subject to investigation by the Price Commission. Their accounts are open to appropriate audit. I propose to increase the number of members appointed to the authorities by local government and I am making progress in appointing consumer members.