§ Mr. O'Brienasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the proposed shedding by the Yorkshire water authority of 400 jobs, he remains satisfied that the authority will be able to fulfil its obligations in the provision of water supply; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Government have agreed with all water authorities objectives which include, consistent with their statutory obligations to provide a range of water-related services, offering their customers an acceptible quality of service at least cost and with steadily improving efficiency, making the best possible use of manpower and physical assets. It is for each authority to decide how best to pursue these objectives, but I welcome the steps being taken by Yorkshire water authority to improve efficiency.