§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the costs to the water industry of complying with EU directives on environmental and water quality standards for the period 2000 to 2005. [89445]
§ Mr. MealeThe Government announced on 1 March decisions on environmental and water quality improvement programmes which should be included in 379W water company business plans for 2000–05. These programmes were largely comprised of investment required to meet the requirements of EC Directives, although they also included, in a fully integrated manner, significant programmes to improve compliance with domestic quality objectives.
We consider that these proposals can be delivered for around £8 billion. Companies' draft strategic business plans are now being considered by the Director General of Water Services, who will reach a provisional view later this month on the costs of these obligations for the purposes of the Periodic Review of water company price limits between 2000 and 2005.