HC Deb 28 November 2001 vol 375 cc1030-1W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the adequacy of the fresh water supply available to the UK. [16981]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 27 November 2001]: The Natural Environment Research Council's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology produces monthly summaries of hydrological conditions across the UK. The latest summary indicates that groundwater resources are very healthy, and that reservoir stocks have recently increased, now being above average for this time of year.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where are the UK's main water sources; and what plans there are to create desalination plants. [16982]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 27 November 2001]: The principal sources from which water is abstracted in the UK are surface waters (rivers and reservoirs) and groundwater (eg chalk aquifers). The main source in any given area depends on its geology though water resources can be, and are, transferred from one region to another where it is necessary to do so. Desalination is not seen as a necessary option in terms of public water supply at the present time.