§ Mr. HagueTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has concerning the progress of water company improvements for sewage treatment works; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierThe latest figures available from the National Rivers Authority demonstrate further improvements in the operational performance of sewage treatment works. In 1990 the proportion of works complying with their current consents, including the time-limited consents granted in 1989–90 in connection with the water industry's current £1.2 billion improvement programme, was 92 per cent. Time-limited consent conditions are superseded by long-term performance measures as the improvements work through. The authority believes that the proportion of works which already meet these long-term measures has risen from 77 per cent. in 1986, and 83 per cent. in 1988, to some 88 per cent. in 1990. The water industry's enhanced investment programme is therefore making good progress. The Director General of Water Services is continuing to monitor the programme.