§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on the detrimental effect to health of people living in areas which have a high incidence of nitrates in the soil; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy Department has this year received about a dozen representations referring to possible health risks from nitrate when it passes into drinking water supplies. Advice on the health implications of nitrate in drinking water are set out in a letter from the Government's Chief Medical Officer to local medical officers on 27 November 1985; this letter is reproduced as appendix B to the report of the Nitrate Co-ordination Group. A copy of which is available in the Library. No public supplies contain nitrate concentrations above levels considered acceptable by the Chief Medical Officer.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what central Government financial help is available to water authorities to encourage them to reduce the level of nitrates in the soil; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWater authority investment is funded from water charges and not grant aided by the Government. If nitrate in the soil needs to be limited in order for example to limit nitrate concentrations in water supplies, costs should where practicable be borne by those responsible for the increased levels. I am at present considering the report of the Nitrate Co-ordination Group which made a number of recommendations for dealing with the nitrate issue.