§ Mr. Temple-MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if all powers, including reserve powers, currently available to the National Rivers Authority, will be transferred fully to the Environment Agency. [28250]
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Environment Agency, which will be established by the Environment Bill currently progressing through our House, will carry out all of the current functions of the National Rivers Authority, together with the functions of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and local waste regulation authorities. The powers available to the NRA will transfer to the agency subject to certain changes to reflect the broader functions of the agency, and to facilitate its effective operation through rationalisation of similar provisions between the existing regimes.
§ Mr. Temple-MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the powers available to the National Rivers Authority under schedule 25 of the Water Resources Act 1991, to make bylaws on navigation without navigation authorities, will be transferred fully to the Environment Agency. [28249]
§ Mr. AtkinsSchedule 18 of the Environment Bill, which is currently before our House, transfers to the Environment Agency the byelaw-making powers of the NRA under schedule 25 of the Water Resources Act 1991 without change.