§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of regulation in 1991–92 for the water industry; and what is the expected corresponding figure for 1992–93.
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 30 November 1992]: Different aspects of quality regulation fall to the drinking water inspectorate (DWI) and National Rivers Authority (NRA). The Office of Water Services (OFWAT) regulates prices.
In addition to its regulatory functions the DWI provides technical and scientific advice to my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales. DWI's total costs for 1991–92 were £1.4 million, and for 1992–93 are expected to be £1.6 million.
The NRA spent in total £35 million in 1991–92, and expect to spend £41 million in 1992–93, on licensing and monitoring of discharges: approaching two thirds of this is attributable to water industry discharges. The NRA spent a further £8 million in 1991–92, and expect to spend £9 million in 1992–93, on licensing and enforcement of abstractions: the proportion attributable to the water industry is not readily available.
The Director General for Water Services's "Annual Report 1991", a copy of which is in the Library, records that in 1991–92 OFWAT's budget was £6.29 million, and for 1992–93 is £7.52 million.