§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current budget of the Severn-Trent water authority; and how this compares with previous budgets since its formation.
§ Mr. FoxIt is estimated that in the current financial year the operating expenditure on the revenue account for Severn-Trent water authority will be £241,768,000. Comparable figures for previous years since the formation of the authority are as follows:
Financial year Operating expenditure (£000's) Percentage increase over previous year 1974–75 … 102,141 — 1975–76 … 135,695 32.9 1976–77 … 152,790 12.6 1977–78 … 187,005 22.4 1978–79 … 211,717 13.2 These figures are at outturn not constant prices.