Written question asked by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru) on Tuesday, 27 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 April 2001. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 April 2001 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, on what grounds he based his proposal for a time limit on water abstraction licences. - Includes ref to 'Taking Water Responsibly'.

Answer: Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what grounds he based his proposal for a time limit on water abstraction licences. [156346] Mr. Robert Ainsworth: The Government's policy on time limiting abstraction licences was set out in "Taking Water Responsibly", published in 1999. There are long-term uncertainties which could lead to some currently acceptable abstractions becoming unsustainable. The principal concern is uncertainty about climate change impact upon water resources replenishment and hence the availability of water for abstraction in future decades. Another significant concern is the extent to which changing technological or economic patterns will continue to affect the use or non-use of licensed abstractions in the future. Just as there have been changes in past decades in those patterns, so there have been changes in awareness and expectations of the social dimension to the water environment and the activities and values which it supports through "in situ" or abstractive use.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 366 c180W; 156346
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Licensing Environment protection Natural resources Water Water abstraction
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk