asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the situation in the water service in Northern Ireland.

The industrial action which disrupted water supplies over some parts of the Province ended on 9 January and normal supplies are being restored as quickly as the 14-week accumulation of repairs can be dealt with. Water workers in Northern Ireland are linked for pay purposes with the water industry in England and Wales but difficulties in introducing comparable productivity bonus schemes gave rise to the industrial action. An interim productivity scheme has been in operation since March 1978 and it is hoped to introduce full schemes on 1 May 1979.