HL Deb 01 February 1989 vol 503 cc1201-2WA
The Earl of Munster

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they will take to reassure the public that there will be no reduction in research or investment into the quality of drinking water after the water supply industry is privatised.

The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)

Water authorities are at present preparing programmes of works to secure compliance with regulations on drinking water quality to be made under provisions of the Water Bill. These programmes will have to be agreed by the Government. Information on them will be made public, as it it will be generally on drinking water quality. The Government will establish an inspectorate to check the quality of drinking water being supplied by the water undertakers and to ensure that compliance programmes are being carred out satisfactorily. The Government will continue to fund their own research programme on drinking water quality.