§ Mr. Wrayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the European countries where the national water resources have been privatised.
§ Mr. MoynihanA number of countries involve private companies in water supply services either directly or through franchise arrangements. In France 62 per cent. of the population receives water from private companies.
§ Mr. Wrayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific steps he is taking for the protection of the health of British people in the event of privatisation of water authorities.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe legislation giving effect to our proposals for the restructuring and privatisation of the water authorities in England and Wales will clarify and strengthen the legal basis for drinking water quality standards. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and local authorities will continue to have monitoring roles in438W this area. The National Rivers Authority will be responsible for granting consents for discharges to rivers, estuaries and coastal waters, including the discharge of effluent from the sewage treatment works of the privatised utilities.