§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the annual water leakage rate likely to arise from permitting the importation of non-syphonic lavatory cisterns; and if he will make a statement. [7897]
§ Angela EagleI understand that the Water Regulations Advisory Committee is proposing that the use of non-siphonic flushing systems should be allowed in order to encourage the development of WCs with lower flush volumes. The committee is also proposing that such devices, whether manufactured in the United Kingdom or abroad, should be required to meet stringent performance specifications so that any possible leakage will be greatly outweighed by water savings from the considerable lower flush volumes that can be achieved.
The committee is currently consulting on these and other proposals to reduce the use and waste of water.