§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the "Water: Increasing Customer Choice" consultation paper was subject to an environmental appraisal using the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment"; if he will publish the appraisal; what alternative courses of action from those set out in the "Water: Increasing Customer Choice" consultation paper were considered in the environmental appraisal; how the paper was modified by the results of the environmental appraisal; and what procedures have been put in place by his Department to monitor the environmental impacts arising from the implementation of the paper. [29491]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe consultation paper is about customer choice between suppliers of drinking water. Inter alia, possible environmental aspects were taken into account in developing the proposals; they take for granted552W that there would be no change in the environmental standards and performance required—that is, with respect to abstraction requirements and the handling of wastes arising in the treatment process—see in particular paragraphs 4.34 and 4.36.