§ Mr. Matthew Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how the South West water authority's 557W plans to clean the beaches of Cornwall will be affected by the Government's proposals for privatisation; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how the South West water authority's plans to install and update sewerage systems in Cornwall will be affected by the Government's proposals for privatisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe Government propose that the water and sewerage functions of the water authorities will be transferred to new public limited companies, which will then be offered for sale. It will be for the companies to determine their own investment programmes, taking account of their obligations under domestic and European Community legislation and of the limits which will be placed on their permitted level of charges increases.