§ Mr. Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given the regional water authorities about lifting the restrictions imposed on the use of water; and when it is proposed to lift the restrictions in each water authority area.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThis is a matter which each of the authorities must decide in the light of its own particular circumstances. Restrictions on non-essential uses under the Drought Act remain in force only in Thames and for certain uses or areas in Anglia, Severn Trent, Wessex and Yorkshire. Hosepipe bans also still apply in a number of areas. The authorities concerned are all keeping the situation under constant review and relaxing restrictions as soon as they believe it is safe to do so, having regard to necessary reserves for next year.