§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to the Office of Water Services and the water companies to ensure that river sites of special scientific interest are protected from deterioration due to sewage effluent during the period 1995–2000.
§ Mr. AtkinsIn an answer to my hon. Friend on 6 July,Official Report, columns 241-42, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced £522.3 million of spending in the period 1995 to 2000, specifically to improve river quality where such improvements would not otherwise be required. This was taken into account by the Director General of Water Services when he determined the water companies' new price limits, announced on 28 July. The National Rivers Authority will decide in consultation with the water companies how this spending should be prioritised.