§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the water supply in Yorkshire meets the European Community guidelines for aluminium content, and for any other additives, metals or pesticides.
§ Mr. Howard[holding answer 29 June 1989]: Most supplies in the Yorkshire water authority area regularly comply with the standards set in the EC drinking water directive. Those supplies which regularly exceed the directive's standards, including those for aluminium, manganese and iron, and for which the Department has granted derogations under article 9 of the directive, are included in the list which I placed in the Library on 22 June. Derogations under article 9 can be granted only where the situation is due to the nature and structure of the ground and there is no risk to public health.
I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 8 March, Official Report, column 521–22.