§ Baroness Gardner of Parkesasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to announce the appointment of members of the National Rivers Authority Advisory Committee.
588WA
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)We are 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 noble friend Lord Crickhowell, this committee will advise us on the implications for the water authorities of the reorganisation needed to provide a separate organisation 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. We are 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.