§ Mr. Ian StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will decide the detailed investment programmes for water companies to undertake between 2000 and 2005; and if he will make a statement. [74163]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Government published "Raising the Quality" on 23 September 1998. This document gave guidance to the Director General of Water Services on the environmental and quality objectives to be achieved by the water industry between 2000 and 2005.
The Director General of Water Services requested that decisions on the detailed programmes needed to achieve these objectives should be made by the end of February, to enable water companies to prepare their business plans.
I shall make a detailed announcement on Monday of the investment programmes to be delivered by 2005. The terms of the announcement will be placed in the Library of the House.