HC Deb 21 March 1978 vol 946 cc487-8W
Mr. Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he now intends to take action about water authority representation at Kyoto.

Mr. Denis Howell

This is essentially a matter for the water authorities themselves. It is up to them to take a view as to appropriate representation at this important conference. I have no locus over the number of officers they send. My attention has been drawn, however, to the fact that there is some legal doubt as to their powers to send members. In these circumstances, I have issued a general sanction permitting the atten- dance of up to three members. Water authorities which wish to send more will have to convince me that they have a good case.