§ 23. Mr. O'Brienasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about his proposals to establish a National Rivers Authority; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyBy the end of October, a total of 318 responses had been received to our policy and consultation paper. Of these, 160 expressed support, and 34 opposition, for the proposals to establish the National Rivers Authority; the remainder commented on details of our proposals, but expressed no view on the principle. I am pleased by the wide measure of support which the724W responses have shown for our proposals, both inside and outside the water industry itself. We are now considering the comments received, and we shall make known our decisions on the unresolved aspects of our proposals in due course.
§ 34. Dr. Reidasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has considered what mechanisms or criteria will be used by the National Rivers Authority for charging for water recreational activity and fishing, and if he will make a statement.
§ 46. Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of state for the Environment what he estimates the annual Exchequer grant-in-aid to the National Rivers Authority is likely to be.
§ Mr. MoynihanI refer the hon. Members to the answer given to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies) on Monday 2 November 1987.
§ 36. Mr. Martlewasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made as to percentage increases in charges to industry for discharge consents that will be made by the National Rivers Authority.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe Government have proposed that the National Rivers Authority should be empowered to charge for the costs which it reasonably incurs in setting, and monitoring compliance with, effluent discharge consents. Such costs may vary in relation to the scale and complexity of the discharge, but the average charge is unlikely to be substantial.