§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department intends to comply with the European urban waste water directive, in respect of the Mersey estuary; whether it is intended that additional costs will have to be met by consumers of water in the region; what is the timetable for the clean-up of the Mersey estuary; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe United Kingdom is committed to fulfilling the objectives of the urban waste water treatment directive. The directive sets various implementation dates depending on the size of the discharge and the nature of the receiving water. In England and Wales the Director General of the Office of Water Services will be setting price limits for the water companies which will take into account their legal obligations including the urban waste water treatment directive.