§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has replied to the European Commission's request for clarification on the compatibility of the Government's plans for the privatisation of the water authorities and European Community directive on water quality, with particular regard to bodies responsible for monitoring compliance of drinking water;
(2) if he has replied to the European Commission's request for clarification on the compatibility of the Government's plans for the privatisation of the water authorities and European Community directive on water quality, with particular regard as to whether there will be an independent body monitoring the disposal of sewage sludge to agricultural land in accordance with directive 86/278/EEC;
(3) if he has replied to the European Commission's request for clarification on the compatibility of the Government's plans for the privatisation of the water authorities and European Community directive on water quality, with particular regard to those circumstances in which water undertakings may be permitted to continue to supply drinking water which does not conform with the parameters laid down in directive 80/778/EEC;
(4) if he has replied to the European Commission's request for clarification on the compatibility of the Government's plans for privatisation of the water authorities and European Community directive on water quality, with particular regard as to which pollution control functions of the National Rivers Authority are considered by the Government to be suitable for contracting out;
(5) if he has replied to the European Commission's request for clarification on the compatibility of the Government's plans for the privatisation of the water authorities and European Community directives on water quality with particular regard to whether the Government's relaxation of sewage works discharge consents prior to privatisation is consistent with article 2 of directive 76/464/EEC on dangerous substances.
§ Mr. Ridley[holding answer 13 July 1989]Discussions have taken place with the European Commission on the drinking water quality provisions which are now incorporated in the Water Act 1989. I am not aware of any outstanding points on these provisions to be clarified with the Commission. A reply was sent to the Commission on 11 January 1989 clarifying the other points raised.