§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what form Her Majesty's Government have responded to the requirements of the Commission of the European Economic Community consequent on the adoption of Council Directive 80/770 concerning the 169W quality of water supplied for human consumption; and what information is available to Her Majesty's Government concerning comparable information supplied by Governments of other member states.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Government are whole-heartedly committed to complying with the requirements of the EC drinking water directive as quickly as possible taking account of practicalities and have always co-operated fully with the European Commission. In particular, we have sent them details of the programmes which water undertakers in England and Wales will be carrying out at a cost of f 1.8 billion over the next five years in order to remedy current situations of non-compliance with the drinking water directive.
The Commission does not reveal what information other member states have supplied.