asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to amend the Water Act to make provision for rebates of water and sewerage rates for the needy.

We have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to exempt from water charges water supplied to fire-fighting sprinkler systems.

I am discussing this particular problem with the National Water

Region		Post		Appointed		Relinquished			Remarks
Northern	…	Vice-Chairman		J. H. Wilman		J. Dunning		…	Resigned
Yorkshire and Humberside		Chairman	…	I. Patnick	…	R. Hoyle		…	Not reappointed
		Vice-Chairman		N. Ayling	…	Prof. A. Patmore			Resigned post—remains as member
West Midlands		Chairman	…	W. J. Slater	…	C. Cadbury		…	Not reappointed but remains as member
Eastern	…	Chairman	…	F. J. Hill	…	P. Wayre		…	Not reappointed
Southern	…	Chairman	…	R A. Aisher	…	P. Sage	…	…	Resigned post but remains as member

All other chairmen and vice-chairmen have been reappointed.The appointments were made on general merit and ability to steer the regional councils concerned through complex tasks for the good of all interests they represent. It is my intention to have a reasonable balance between them.