§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what considerations he is giving for the merging of the National Rivers Authority closed fund with the National Rivers Authority active fund.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe National Rivers Authority is sponsored by the Department of the Environment. In the course of establishing the Environment Agency, consideration is being given to the future arrangements for the National Rivers Authority's closed and active pension funds. The arrangements must protect the position of the beneficiaries, while minimising any cost for the taxpayer. 979W One of the options being looked at is the merger of the funds.