HC Deb 25 June 1986 vol 100 cc220-1W
26. Mr. Lord

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received about the implications of the privatisation of the water authorities for the protection of the water environment in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

73. Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning environmental safeguards relating to plans to privatise the water industry.

Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received concerning the environmental consequences of privatising the water industry.

Mr. John Patten

A number of representations have been received in response to our consultation paper "The Water Environment: The Next Steps". The consultation period is not yet finished and I look forward to receiving further comments which will be carefully considered.

28. Mr. Flannery

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many responses he has received to the White Paper, "Privatisation of the Water Authorities in England and Wales."

Mr. John Patten

My Department has received 305 letters from organisations and others interested following publication of the White Paper.

44. Mr. Andrew MacKay

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received regarding the implications of the proposed privatisation of the water authorities for the consumer and employees in the water industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have today given to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Flannery).

The broad principles for consumer consultation were set out in section 4 of the White Paper, "Privatisation of the Water Authorities in England and Wales" (Cmnd. 9734). I propose to publish a paper setting out in more detail the arrangements we propose. Copies of this will be sent to the organisations most closely concerned and will also be available on request from my Department.

59. Mr. Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest assessment of the timetable for the privatisation of the water authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Hampstead and Highgate (Sir G. Finsburg) and for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims).

66. Mr. Fatchett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the organisations that have responded to the White Paper, "Privatisation of the Water Authorties in England and Wales."

Mr. John Patten

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have today given to the hon. Member for Sheffied, Hillsborough (Mr. Flannery). It is for those commenting to make it known if they wish that they have done so, and to make their views public.