§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements have been made with water companies in Wales to ensure that water supplies are readily accessible and available to the emergency services in Wales to deal with fires and other emergencies.
§ Mr. GristThis is a matter for the fire authorities concerned. Section 47 of the Water Act 1989 places a duty on a water undertaker to allow any person to take water for extinguishing fires from any of its water mains or other pipes on which a water hydrant is fixed. Section 51 places a duty on a water undertaker to cause the water in such of its water mains and other pipes that have fire hydrants fixed on them to be laid on constantly and at such a pressure as will cause the water to reach to the top of the topmost storey of every building within the undertaker's area. The obligations of a water undertaker under both sections are enforceable under section 20 by the Secretary of State; and in addition, where a water undertaker is in breach of a duty under this section, the undertaker shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine.