§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will produce a table showing the return of assets for each of the water authorities in England in the years 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84; and what are the estimated figures for 1984–85.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe form of accounts used prior to 1981–82 does not enable a rate of return comparable with later years to be calculated; and it is too early to estimate the outturn for 1984–85. The other figures requested are shown in the following table: 127W
1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 Name of Water Authority Target Achievement Target Achievement Target Achievement Target† Southern 1.09 1.70 1.18 1.76 1.25 1.56 0.91 South West 2.17 1.98 1.47 1.95 1.47 1.87 1.26 Thames 1.24 1.45 1.09 1.37 1.25 1.19 0.50 Wessex 1.65 2.35 1.50 2.08 1.50 1.67 0.61 Yorkshire 0.85 1.10 1.14 1.52 1.25 1.65 1.00 * The achievement figure includes both current cost operating profit for the year and any balance brought forward, as defined in the relevant Return of Assets Order. † A reassessment of asset values, described in note 1 to the current cost supplementary statements in the authorities' account for 1983–84, resulted in generally higher asset values. These higher values were taken into account in setting financial targets for 1984–85. The targets set for 1984–85 average about 1 per cent.; on an equivalent basis the targets for 1983–84 would have averaged 0.94 per cent.