HC Deb 19 May 1993 vol 225 cc176-7W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the United Kingdom Government's policy on changing the EC standard of 50 mg/l for lead in drinking water to 10 mg/1.

Mr. Maclean

We expect that the European Commission will wish to consider proposing a change to the current standard for lead in the drinking water directive of 50 micrograms per litre (µg/l) in the light of the revised guideline for lead of 10µg/l announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The United Kingdom will play its full part in discussion of proposals for a revised directive.