§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the terms of reference of his departmental review of Yorkshire Water; when the review begun; when it is expected to end; to whom will the conclusions of the review will be presented; if he will place a copy of the review in the Library; and if he will make a statement; [16429]
(2) what plans he has to give (a) oral and (b) written evidence to the Yorkshire Water commission of inquiry chaired by Professor John Uff; [16431]
(3) if he will make available the main conclusions of his Departmental review of Yorkshire Water to the commission of inquiry established by Yorkshire Water and chaired by Professor Uff. [16430]
§ Mr. ClappisonMy Department is not conducting a review of Yorkshire Water.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has discussed with Professor Uff the inquiry which he has been asked by Yorkshire Water to conduct into the water supply situation in Yorkshire. Officials have provided him with published details setting out the programme of work being undertaken as part of the Department's wider review, but Ministers do not expect to be asked to give evidence.
My right hon. Friend announced on 1 September a review of water resource arrangements in England and Wales in co-operation with the National Rivers Association, the Office of Water Services and the water industry. Work on this is continuing and we expect to publish its findings later this year.