§ Mrs. RoeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many licences for extracting water from bore holes have been granted in each of the past two years to the horticultural industry in East Anglia; and what was the average amount of water permitted for extraction under each licence;
(2) whether he will make it his policy to conserve water in East Anglia by restricting the amount of water permitted for extraction by bore holes by the horticultural industry;
(3) what assessment he has made of the effect on water conservation by the horticultural industry in East Anglia of (a) limiting times of the day when water extraction is permitted, (b) limiting the total quantity of water permitted to be extracted by each user and (c) encouraging night-time use of water to reduce evaporation;
391W(4) what restrictions have been imposed by the National Rivers Authority on extraction of irrigation water from bore holes by horticultural undertakings in East Anglia;
(5) whether he will issue a direction to the National Rivers Authority to conserve water in East Anglia by restricting the amounts extracted by horticultural undertakings.
§ Mr. BaldryThese are all matters for the National Rivers Authority. The chairman will write to my hon. Friend. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to issue a direction to the National Rivers Authority.