HC Deb 01 December 1992 vol 215 c151W
Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total number and percentage of English homes directly served by mains water supplies; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what is the total number of homes directly served by mains water supplies for each of the EC member countries; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

The "Levels of Service Report 1990–91", published by OFWAT, lists 23,594,000 domestic properties that are served by mains water supplies for England and Wales. These account for approximately 99 per cent. of the population for England and Wales. Figures are not available for properties in England separately, or for other EC member countries.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans his Department has to improve co-operation and liaison between the water companies and British Waterways; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

The relationship between British Waterways and the water companies is a matter for the board and the companies.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next plans to meet the chairman of the regional water companies; and what matters will be discussed.

Mr. Maclean

Ministers have had a number of meetings in recent months with the chairman of British Waterways, at which, among other things, matters of strategic policy and board appointments have been discussed. But the Secretary of State has at present no plans to meet him.