§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the best estimate currently available of the cost involved in reducing the lead content of drinking water in 422W Scotland to the limits as set out in European Community directive 80/778 and the information on which this is based.
§ Mr. AncramThis information is not available. The reduction of the lead content of drinking water is to be achieved(a) by local authorities which do not identify these costs separately from other more general costs incurred in the treatment of water and (b) by the gradual elimination of domestic lead plumbing.
§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional resources of finance or manpower he has made available to water authorities in respect of lead contamination of drinking water to (a) undertake the programme of lead identification studies and (b) ensure Scotland's compliance with European Community legislation; and if he will consider making additional resources available to accelerate the implementation of this legislation.
§ Mr. AncramAn appropriate adjustment was made to relevant expenditure for rate support grant in 1982–83 for the costs of lead identification surveys carried out by local authorities. The local authorities responsible for water supply have to implement the EC drinking water directive in addition to their other duties. To take account of this my right hon. and learned Friend plans to allocate extra capital expenditure provision of some £20 million over the three year period from 1986–87 to cover inter alia work in connection with the directive.
§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the outstanding results of the programme of lead identification studies undertaken by water authorities in respect of European Community directive 80/778; and when he intends to publish these results.
§ Mr. AncramThe outstanding results are expected in July 1986. The lead identification surveys, which the Government arranged for purposes other than its obligations under the EC Directive, comprise one step in a remedial programme which has been running for many years. When the water authorities have taken the appropriate remedial action, further surveys will be necessary to establish its effectiveness. Consideration will be given to the publication of the results at the appropriate stage.
§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide details of the Government's programme, together with the proposed timescale, for the reduction of lead contamination of drinking water in Scotland, which accompanied the Government's application to the European Commission for a delay in implementing the terms of European Community directive 80/778.
§ Mr. AncramThe Government's application to the European Commission sought a delay of five years to comply with the directive's requirements in respect of lead in drinking water. The application covered Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and certain water authority areas in England. Information was provided on the levels of lead in drinking water and on the various contributory factors. The application described the action already taken to improve this aspect of the quality of drinking water and the steps required to identify and remedy the remaining drinking water supplies which contain high lead concentrations, for example by treatment of water, 423W replacement of supply pipes by water authorities, and replacement of domestic lead plumbing through the home improvement grant scheme. The Commission has not yet reached a decision on the application.