HC Deb 15 October 2001 vol 372 cc1061-2W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the incidence of sewage flooding in Lancashire in the last five years. [4328]

Mr. Meacher

Information on the incidence of sewage flooding in Lancashire is not collected centrally. The Director General of Water Services publishes information on the incidence of sewage flooding for United Utilities each year in "Levels of service for the water industry in England and Wales". The most recent report for 2000–01 was published at the end of July and is available from the House of Commons Library.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers she has to require (1) North West Water to stop flooding in people's homes through faults in sewage systems; [6064]

(2) water companies to compensate people whose homes are damaged as a consequence of sewage flooding. [6065]

Mr. Meacher

Sewerage undertakers have a duty under section 94 of the Water Industry Act 1991 to effectually drain their area, and this duty is enforceable by the Secretary of State or the Director General of Water Services. However, there can be practical or financial constraints. The duty in the 1991 Act is not, therefore, considered to be an absolute requirement on undertakers to prevent sewer flooding in all circumstances. Each undertaker is expected to set priorities for work which may be necessary. Ofwat and my officials are currently examining the causes of sewer flooding and possible remedies. Ofwat will publish a paper on the issue early in 2002.

encompasses technologies for emissions reduction in the longer term. The energy review is due to be completed at the end of 2001 and will contribute to the Government's response possibly early in 2002 to the specific recommendations in the report from the Royal Commission.

Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list for the UK the changes in the levels of production of greenhouse gases in each year since 1990. [7759]

Mr. Meacher

The table lists the changes in the levels of emissions of UK greenhouse gases each year from 1990 to 1999, the most recent year available. The gases are weighted by global warming potential and emissions are in million tonnes carbon equivalent.

Householders are entitled to compensation equivalent to a year's sewerage charges up to a maximum of £1,000 under the Water Supply and Sewerage Services (Customer Service Standards) Regulations every time there is internal sewage flooding.

Mr. Pollard

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the powers of Ofwat to compel water companies to carry out their statutory duties with regard to preventing the incursion of sewage into customers' homes; and if she will make a statement. [7096]

Mr. Meacher

Sewerage undertakers have a duty under section 94 of the Water Industry Act 1991 to drain effectually their area and this duty is enforceable by the Secretary of State or the Director General of Water Services. However there can be practical or financial constraints. The duty in the 1991 Act is not, therefore, considered to be an absolute requirement on undertakers to prevent sewer flooding in all circumstances. Ofwat and the Department are currently examining the causes of sewer flooding and possible remedies. Ofwat will publish a paper on the issue early in 2002.