§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department received reports from the water authorities concerning levels of winter rainfall; whether he expects the shortage to continue into the summer as a drought; and whether his Department has made contingency plans for a drought this summer.
§ Mr. HowardWe have been receiving regular reports from the water industry on regional rainfall and the state of water resources. Heavier than average rainfall over the last two months has greatly improved the situation; areas of potential shortage of water supply this summer are now relatively small and confined to parts of the south east. Responsibility for taking action in the event of drought rests with the water undertakers.