§ 31. Mr. SkinnerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will meet a deputation from the Ramblers Association to discuss the maintenance of free accessibility to land for the general public following privatisation of the water authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardI met the Ramblers Association to discuss these matters on 6 March 1989.
§ 32. Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the alleged illegality of the water authorities' advertising campaign.
§ Mr. HowardI have been unable to trace any representations on this point.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Cumbria county council and the Lake District planning board on the privatisation of water authority assets.
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§ Mr. HowardWe have received a number of representations from the Lake District planning board about the composition of the regional rivers advisory committees of the National Rivers Authority, consultation arrangements between the national park authorities and the water industry, and the sale of non-operational land. The board's views have been carefully considered. I am not aware of any representations from Cumbria county council.
Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how it intends to finance the main flotation costs of the privatisation of the water authorities.
§ Mr. HowardToken provision for this new service has been sought in the main supply estimate for class X vote 9. A supplementary estimate will be presented when the sale has been completed and the final costs are known. Pending approval of these estimates, urgent expenditure will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.