§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the current regulations about the content of lead in drinking water in force in the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the effect on them of World Health Organisation guidelines.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 prescribe a maximum concentration at the point where water is supplied by the undertaker of 50 micrograms of lead per litre of water in any sample of drinking water. This is more stringent than the requirements of the EC drinking water directive. We are considering whether any changes are needed in the light of the revised guidelines which the World Health Organisation is expected to publish later in the year.