§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to bring forward proposals to require contractors undertaking work on behalf of water companies to maintain the same standards as the water companies are required to maintain in order to prevent environmental damage and pollution.
559W
§ Mr. BaldryEvery company holding an appointment as a water or sewerage undertaker has in place a code of practice, approved by the Secretary of State, covering the use of its works powers on private land. These codes apply equally to any employees, agents and contractors carrying out works on behalf of the company, and cover environmental considerations and reinstatement among other matters. An undertaker may be liable to pay compensation for damage caused in the carrying out of its works, either by itself or by contractors acting on its behalf; and the Director General of Water Services can direct it to do so in a particular case. Other environmental legislation also generally applies in the same way to a water, or water and sewerage, company and to contractors working for it.