§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations(a) he and (b) officials of his Department have had in the past year with (i) the World Health Organisation regional office for Europe, (ii) the United Kingdom water research centre at Medmenham and (iii) interested non-governmental environmental organisations, in regard to the effectiveness 1047W of the WHO guidelines for drinking water purity as incorporated in the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Environment Act 1995. [40791]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe WHO guidelines for drinking water quality were reviewed and updated in 1993 in the light of new scientific information. The revised guidelines form the basis of many of the standards contained in EC proposal COM (94) 612 final, concerning the quality of water intended for human consumption. My officials have consulted widely on the Commission's proposal for a revised drinking water directive. The consultations have involved among others, WRC Medmenham plc and numerous non-governmental organisations, including Friends of Earth and Greenpeace.