HL Deb 04 April 1989 vol 505 cc1088-9WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend, in their proposals for privatisation of the water industry, to make certain levels of "research" and "technology" mandatory in accordance with the Prime Minister's statement in the House of Commons (16th March 1989, cols. 528 and 529).

Lord Hesketh

No. We are satisfied that the privatised utilities will carry out the research and technology necessary to underpin their statutory functions and in response to the general stimulus for efficiency that their conditions of appointment will provide. We see no need to impose mandatory requirements for levels of research.