HC Deb 29 July 1982 vol 28 cc706-7W
Mr. Lyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement to clarify the future of the national Water Council's international advisory service in the light of the decision to dissolve the council.

Mr. King

The international advisory service of the National Water Council has, with my full support, established a growing international consultancy business on a commercial footing to complement with its skills the export effort of the private sector. With the prospective abolition of the council new arrangements will be made in order that present and prospective customers can have complete confidence that all commitments entered into by the international advisory service will be honoured. The Government also intend to clarify at the earliest opportunity, the powers of water undertakers to do work overseas.