HC Deb 07 July 1988 vol 136 cc746-8W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the members and their backgrounds of the National Rivers Authority advisory committee, and outline its powers.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names of all the members of the National Rivers Authority advisory committee other than the chairman, including their relevant backgrounds and qualifications.

Mr. Ridley

Together with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, I am pleased to announce that Peter Brandt, Professor Ronald Edwards, Hugh Fish CBE, Lord Mason of Barnsley, Dennis Mitchell and John Norris CBE have agreed to serve as members of the National Rivers Authority Advisory committee.

Under my right hon. and noble Friend, Lord Crickhowell, this committee will advise us on the implications for the water authorities of the reorganisation needed to provide a separate organisational structure for their water supply and sewerage functions, and the functions that will be performed by the new National Rivers Authority.

These appointments will provide the committee with the services of people with considerable experience of the water industry, knowledge and interest in NRA functions, and financial and organisational experience. If necessary, further appointments will be made in due course. I am confident that they will ensure that the NRA will become an effective regulatory body once the utility functions of the water authorities are transferred to the private sector.