§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the connection between rising groundwater and water lost through leaks from water company pipes; and if he will make a statement. [25714]
§ Mr. ClappisonNone. Although most water leaking from the distribution system is likely to find its way into groundwater, it is unlikely to contribute significantly to rising levels of groundwater in the London area, where water in the distribution system is generally drawn from groundwater. The rise in groundwater levels in London is believed to be due chiefly to the reduction in abstractions for industrial purposes.
Table 2: Number of medical board diagnoses of disablement, range 1 to 100 per cent., from occupational asthma for males and females in each calendar year 1990 to 1994, inclusive Year 1990 1991 19921 1993 1994 Sex M F M F M F M F M F All boards 167 49 236 57 438 115 390 120 3912 872 Cardiff 20 5 30 9 59 23 43 22 42 11 Swansea 12 1 7 2 8 2 8 1 16 3 Glasgow 15 3 33 6 30 12 24 10 23 4 Stoke on Trent 18 14 31 8 74 18 63 19 68 18 Sheffield 33 9 36 9 113 23 122 27 87 26 Manchester 25 6 22 9 38 13 37 9 42 13 Newcastle 14 4 36 3 64 7 59 11 74 6 London 30 7 41 11 52 17 34 21 39 6 Notes: 1The number of cases referred for medical boarding, and the number of diagnoses of disablement, increased from 1992 onwards following an increase in the number of prescribed agents for occupational asthma included in the industrial injuries disablement benefit list. 2Excludes 19 males and nine females from Edinburgh board. Source:
Medical boardings centres.