---

Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006

My interest is in precisely the point that the noble Baroness raised at the end. I understand that this facilitates the making of smaller abstractions at precisely the wrong time. There is some evidence—which has been advertised on television and radio—that the way to respond to the hosepipe ban and other preventions of abstraction is to put in your own bore hole, which can be done below the de minimus level. I appreciate that this matter does not entirely fall within the orders before this Grand Committee, but the Minister might like to comment on the point. There is an illusion that the water on your property is somehow peculiar to you and does not affect anyone else, but we know of plenty of illustrations where bore holes have dried up springs 10 miles away. The impact on possible river flow and damage to the environment could be substantial.