§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the National Water Council, including all main constituent costs of any sort, such as expenditure on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.
§ Mr. ShoreThe accounts for 1976–77 included in the Council's latest annual 721W report show total expenditure of nearly £4 million. The Council's expenditure is almost entirely financed by the water authorities. I am advised by the National Water Council that its projected budget for 1978–79 amounts to just under £5 million at outturn prices.