§ Earl Peelasked Her Majesty's Government:
What additional resources the Environment Agency intend to make available in Northumbria and Yorkshire to build up more reliable and comprehensive base data on environmental issues, as recommended in Professor Uff s report, Water Supply in Yorkshire: The Report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Earl Ferrers)The Environment Agency has an extensive environmental monitoring programme. In its North East Region particular attention has been given to the environment in view of the seriousness of the recent drought. However, companies are responsible for collecting environmental information in support of any applications they might make for water abstraction licences or drought permits. In such circumstances, the agency informs applicants of the environmental monitoring programme which it would require in the particular circumstances.
The agency in its North East Region is considering a number of options for improving its ability to obtain external views on environmental issues allied to drought.