§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to require water companies to provide financial and other information to the National Rivers Authority relating to the costs of implementing activity plans drawn up by the National Rivers Authority. [9691]
§ Mr. ClappisonNo. It is for the Director General of Water Services to secure that those appointed as water and sewerage undertakers are able to finance the proper carrying out of the functions of such undertakers. Accordingly, water and sewerage undertakers provide financial and other information to the director general including in respect of obligations arising from requirements imposed or to he imposed by the National Rivers Authority and in future the Environment Agency. As regards any requirement to provide information to the agency, the Government's view was set out in another place during the passage of the Environment Act 1995,Official Report, 31 January 1995, column 1376, including in respect of the potential implications of such a requirement for the Environment Agency in carrying out its duties under section 39 of that Act.