HC Deb 15 July 1998 vol 316 c231W
13. Mr. Bill O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the future regulation of the water industry in Northern Ireland. [49030]

Mr. Paul Murphy

The Government plan shortly to publish a consultation paper on the future structural, funding and regulatory arrangements for delivery of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland. The paper is intended to stimulate a very significant debate about the provision of these services in Northern Ireland on which final decisions will be taken by the new local administration.