§ Mr. Jonathan EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to introduce the system of statutory water quality objectives under the Water Resources Act 1991.
§ Mr. AtkinsMy hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales and I have today laid before Parliament the Surface Waters (River Ecosystem) (Classification) Regulations 1994. These regulations, together with an accompanying document specifying procedures to be used by the National Rivers Authority, prescribe for the first time a statutory system for classifying the overall quality of rivers in England and Wales. This builds on the previous informal river classification system, and follows extensive consultations. The regulations will allow the process of introductory statutory water quality objectives to begin.
Water quality objectives will provide a stable framework for the NRA to maintain and, where appropriate, improve river quality; they will build on the major programmes of investment that are already planned or under way. My hon. Friend and I will, after advice from the NRA, consult on proposals for the first water quality objectives to be set on the basis on these regulations.