§ 29. Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the stimulation of research into environmental matters by(a) his Department, (b) the proposed National Rivers Authority and (c) the water plcs following privatisation.
§ Mr. MoynihanI have today placed copies of a paper in the Libraries of both Houses setting out our proposals for environmental research following privatisation. The paper proposes that it will be for each utility company to decide on its own research needs. The need to fulfil their statutory duties and comply with regulations on water quality and pollution controls will provide the incentives for the water utilities to carry out research. The present statutory duty on the water authorities to make arrangements to carry out research will be replaced by clause 135 of the Water Bill, which places a similar duty on the National Rivers Authority. My Department will continue to manage a substantial programme of research into the water environment.