§ 20. Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last discussed United Kingdom compliance with European Community water directives with the Community environment commissioner; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenI discussed United Kingdom compliance with the drinking water directive with Commissioner Ripa when I attended the meeting of the Environment Council in Brussels in September.
§ 76. Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress towards reaching agreement with the Commission of the European Communities on plans for the implementation of the drinking water directive, 80/778/EEC, and the bathing water directive, 76/160/EEC.
§ Mr. HowardI refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 30 October to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Cleethorpes (Mr. Brown),Official Report, columns 261–62.
§ 42. Mr. LivseyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by what date the United Kingdom will meet the requirements of European Council directives on water quality; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardIn the majority of cases the United Kingdom already meets the requirements of the various European Community directives concerning water quality. For the remainder of cases measures are in hand to achieve these, notably in the case of the directives on the quality of drinking water and bathing waters, where timetabled improvement programmes have been submitted to the Commission of the European Communities.