asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that the present two-and-a-half-day-a-week basis for the salaries of the chairmen of the National Water Council and the regional water authorities adequately reflects the time they actually put in.

With effect from 1st January 1978 the salaries of the chairmen of the National Water Council and the larger regional water authorities will be calculated on a revised basis, varying from three-and-a-half to four days a week, reflecting more closely the hours they need to work, and have been working, to carry out their duties effectively.