HC Deb 12 June 1985 vol 80 cc455-6W
19. Mr. Eggar

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the water authorities following the dispatch of his consultation letter about privatisation.

Mr. Gow

Responses to the discussion paper have been received from the water authorities collectively through the Water Authorities Association, from the Water Companies Association and from seven individual water authorities. I discussed possible privatisation with the chairman and other representatives of the Water Authorities Association on 6 June.

52. Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy for the privatisation of water authorities.

Mr. Gow

I informed the House on 7 February at column 1144 that the Government would be examining the possibility of a measure of privatisation in the water industry. On 1 April, we sent the chairmen of the water authorities a discussion paper and I discussed their response with some of them on 6 June.

We shall be making a further announcement in due course.