§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions have been taken out by the drinking water inspectorate against water supply companies for failure of drinking water standards.
§ Mr. MacleanLegislation does not provide for water companies to be prosecuted for failure to meet drinking water quality standards. A criminal offence has been created of supplying water unfit for human consumption. There have been no prosecutions of water companies to date, but the drinking water inspectorate is investigating a small number of incidents which may lead to prosecution.