§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Ministers to extend the Water Bill to Northern Ireland. [130400]
§ Angela SmithI have had no discussions with Defra Ministers about extending the Water Bill to Northern Ireland. The Water Bill applies only to England and Wales and, as such, its proposed measures relate largely to the privatised water industry which does not reflect the arrangements currently in place in Northern Ireland. However, my officials have been monitoring the progress of the Bill through its various stages to consider what, if any, implications there are for future policy development in Northern Ireland.