§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that water supplies will not be interrupted by the millennium bug; and what assessment he has made of the likelihood of interruption. [60281]
§ Mr. MealeThe Director General of Water Services has been asked to take the lead in monitoring the water industry's progress in ensuring that potential millennium problems are minimised. A Water Regulators Group, which includes representatives from the Drinking Water Inspectorate, Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive, Action 2000 and my Department, has been set up under the chairmanship of OFWAT. OFWAT have commissioned consultants to investigate the work each water company is doing and to visit a number of companies. Their report was published on 22 October. It is clear that water companies are making progress but there is still some work to be done and OFWAT will ensure that water companies keep up the momentum.