§ Earl Peelasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will use their powers under Section 83 of the Water Resources Act 1991 to establish statutory water quality objectives for the River Ure in Yorkshire so as to protect both the quality and the quantity of water on which the biodiversity of the river depends. [HL3564]
§ Lord WhittyIn common with all rivers in the UK, the River Ure must comply with any statutory water quality objectives set to meet our European obligations. Water quality for the majority of the River Ure is high and, at present, there are no plans to establish domestic statutory water quality objectives under Section 83 of the Water Resources Act 1991. However, as part of the current periodic review of water company price limits for the period 2000–2005, the Environment Agency has identified candidate schemes which are to ensure that the existing non-statutory river quality objectives continue to be met. Decisions on company investment programmes will be taken by Ministers early next year.