§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give details of the code of practice formulated between his Department, the Water Authorities Association and the Guild of British Newspaper Editors regarding publicity for the meetings of regional water authorities and their committees.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of the Code which water authority chairmen drew up in consultation with the Guild and which Ministers endorsed.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the extent to which regional water authorities are now publishing material about items to be discussed at meetings of each authority and its committees and holding press conferences after such meetings.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThese matters are provided for in the code of practice which water authority chairmen have drawn up in consultation with the Guild of British Newspaper Editors.
Its detailed operation is a matter for the authorities themselves as independent statutory bodies. I understand, however, that they are adhering to it.