§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the capital spending plans for the English water authorities for 1988–89 will enable the authorities(a) to implement COPA part II, (b) to extend the list of bathing waters as specified under the European Community directive and (c) to meet by 1992 the European Community drinking water directive with particular reference to nitrates.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe public expenditure White Paper, published on 20 January, provides for investment of the English water authorities to rise by about 10 per cent. in volume terms over the next three years. This is in addition to the 40 per cent. volume increase since 1980–81. The amounts provided are slightly higher than shown in water authorities 1987 corporate plans which indicated significant progress would be made towards the implementation of COPA-II, and the EEC drinking water and bathing waters directive.