HC Deb 27 March 2003 vol 402 cc312-3W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which members of the Strategic Water Partnership are considering emergency discharges into the Hampshire Avon Catchment; and if he will make a statement on the progress of their work. [103531]

Mr. Morley

I understand that Wessex Water plans to establish a series of Strategic Water Partnerships involving Wessex Water, District Councils, County Councils, Highways Authority, and Environment Agency. These partnerships will provide a framework for managing issues where there are shared responsibilities including planning, development, flooding, pollution, and bathing beaches.

The Environment Agency has welcomed Strategic Water Partnerships as a means of promoting action on matters of shared responsibility including flooding and sewer flooding. To date, however, no such partnerships have been established in the Hampshire Avon Catchment.