asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he is aware that water orders set out irregular and illegal distributions to water shareholders; and if he will take steps to stop this practice;(2) if he is aware that compensation from water boards is invariably divided between preference and ordinary shareholders contrary to the provisions of the statute; and if he will take steps to stop this practice.

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any irregularity or illegality of this kind in water orders. The second parts of the questions do not therefore arise.