§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what consultations he has had with the National Rivers Authority, the local authority associations and the water companies concerning statutory responsibility for monitoring and regulating rising and falling levels of groundwater underneath urban areas of England and Wales;
(2) what representations he has had concerning responsibility for monitoring and regulating changes in groundwater level.
§ Mr. MacleanMy Department has regular contact with the National Rivers Authority (NRA) which, under the Water Resources Act 1991, has responsibilities for the general management of water resources in England and Wales. It monitors the quality and levels of groundwater, and regulates abstraction through licences. We receive representations about groundwater matters from time to time.
§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken by his Department in support of European Community policy on groundwater protection with particular regard to(a) education and training schemes and (b) improvement in public awareness.
§ Mr. MacleanFollowing the EC ministerial declaration on groundwater in the Hague last year, continued work in England and Wales is being undertaken by the National Rivers Authority. The NRA published a consultation paper in November 1991 setting out proposals for the protection of groundwater, which has increased public awareness of groundwater.