HC Deb 13 June 1980 vol 986 c346W
Mr. Renton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to ensure that the Southern water authority budget is one of nil growth in expenditure in real terms in the year 1981–82.

Mr. Fox

We have impressed upon water authorities the need to make economies but it is too early to comment on budgets for 1981–82. Over the past five years the increase in the average domestic bill in Southern water authority has been well below the increase in the retail price index.