§ Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, what discussions he has had with the European Commission as to the extent to which the proposed water services plcs will be accepted as competent authorities for the purpose of the relevant EEC directives; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 16 June 1986]: My Department has discussed our proposals for privatising the water industry with the Commission. We have no grounds for believing that water services plcs would not be accepted as competent authorities for the relevant purposes.