asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he intends to transfer privately-owned water undertakings in the area of the proposed Greater London Council to that authority.

My present proposal is to make the Greater London Council responsible for water supply in the area of the Metropolitan Water Board. This does not affect any privately owned undertakings. If changes are required in the areas of supply they would be determined in accordance with the policy of regrouping, with which the House is already familiar, and would be carried out under the existing law.