asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to issue guidance to regional water authorities on capital contributions which they require from developers in the light of the decision of the House of Lords in the leading case of Cherwell District Council versus Thames Regional Water Authority, 1975; and whether he will make a statement.

The decision in the case of Cherwell District Council versus Thames Water Authority (1975) determined the meaning of the expression "necessary mains" for the purposes of Section 37 of the Water Act 1945, and I am not aware that it requires guidance to be issued to water authorities. If the hon. Member has a particular matter in mind perhaps he will write to me.