§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many applications for drought orders have been(a) accepted and (b) refused in each of the past 10 years; [40880]
(2) if he will list the drought (a) orders and (b) permits refused in each of the last 10 years. [40881]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe information is as follows:
Applications received Orders made1 Applications withdrawn Orders refused 1987 — — — — 1988 — — — — 1989 118 89 27 2 1990 69 65 4 — 1991 33 28 4 1 1992 19 16 3 — 1993 — — — — 1994 2 — 2 — 1995 61 53 8 — 1996 46 40 5 1 1 A considerable number of the orders were made subject to conditions or amendments either at the recommendation of an Inspector (where a hearing was held) or the Environment Agency (formerly the National Rivers Authority). The applications for drought orders which have been refused are as follows:
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- South West Water Authority (Burrator Reservoir)(Drought) Order—refused 15 August 1989
- South West Water Authority (River Erme)(Drought) Order—refused 1 September 1989
- South West Water Services Ltd. (River Axe)(Drought) Order—refused 1 July 1991
- North West Water Ltd. (River Lune)(Drought) Order—refused 12 February 1996
Powers for the Environment Agency to authorise drought permits came into effect on 1 April 1996. As at 15 October 1996, 12 permits have been authorised and none has been refused.