HC Deb 08 December 1988 vol 143 cc279-80W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how his proposals for water privatisation will (a) reinforce, (b) amend or (c) suppress present controls for the protection of water authority lands (i) of outstanding natural beauty, (ii) serving urban or rural communities as spaces of recreation or environmental value and (iii) declared national parks.

Mr. Moynihan

[holding answer 5 December 1988]: Clause 7 of the Bill would carry forward the present conservation and recreation duties of the water authorities and apply them with certain amendments and extensions to water and sewerage undertakers, the National Rivers Authority and internal drainage boards. The principle change is to impose on the authority a wider duty than currently applies to water authorities, to promote conservation and the recreational use of all inland waters and associated lands.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial compensation will be given to local authorities under his proposals for water privatisation in the case that the future water companies sell land which was originally owned by such local authorities which subsequent legislation gave to water authorities without any compensation.

Mr. Moynihan

[holding answer 5 December 1988]: None, because none is due. The regional water authorities took on the debt liabilities associated with the local authority assets transferred to them in 1974.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific(a) local authorities, (b) rural and urban community organisations, (c) consumer associations and (d) industry and business organisations he consulted prior to deciding that water privatisation should be carried out.

Mr. Moynihan

[holding answer 5 December 1988]: The White Paper proposals and consultation paper on the National Rivers Authority have been widely publicised. The opportunity to comment has not been confined to a specific list of organisations.

Mr. Allen McKay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the amount of financial assistance which will be lost to regions from the European regional development fund following the privatisation of the water industry.

Mr. Moynihan

[holding answer 6 December 1988]: The EC Commission agreed last year to continue to consider applications for aid from the European regional development fund in respect of investments in infrastructure by privatised bodies in the United Kingdom.