§ Mr. Michieasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what efforts he has made to ensure water authorities comply with his intention that press conferences are held after all meetings;
(2) what steps have been taken to implement a code of practice incorporating the points made during the Committee stage of the Water Bill, for water authorities and their obligations to inform the media of their activities and business at meetings.
§ Mr. GowThe Water Authorities Association, in consultation with the Guild of British Newspaper Editors, drew up a code of practice last year which we endorsed. The water authorities are independent statutory bodies and it is for them to decide on matters of day to day management including their relations with the press.
§ Mr. Allen McKayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend the code of practice with water authorities to open all meetings to the press and general public, to make available to the press in advance of the meetings agenda of all items to be discussed and to hold a press conference at the end of the meetings.
§ Mr. GowNo. I am satisfied with the operation of the code of practice drawn up by the water authority chairmen in consultation with the Guild of Newspaper Editors, which was endorsed by my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what amount has been spent in each of the past three years by water authorities on cast iron piping; and what changes in the pattern of spending he expects to result from the proposed sale by the British Steel Corporation of Stanton and Stavely to the French-owned company St. Gobain.
§ Mr. GowProcurement of piping is a matter for the water authorities. Information about the use made by water authorities of cast iron piping is not held centrally and I cannot forecast what changes in future water authority spending patterns will flow from the proposed sale to which my hon. Friend refers.