If he will comment on the use of abstraction licences to control the use of water for trickle irrigation.

If he will comment on the use of abstraction licences to control the use of water for trickle irrigation.

How many rivers in England and Wales have been identified as suffering from low flow due to over-abstraction; what percentage of those identified have had (a) short term and (b) long term solutions implemented to restore their natural flow.

How many rivers in England and Wales have been identified as suffering from low flow due to over-abstraction; what percentage of those identified have had (a) short term and (b) long term solutions implemented to restore their natural flow.

To comment on current levels of groundwater in the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the possibility of water shortages in summer 1997. - (Holding answer 24 February 1997).

To comment on current levels of groundwater in the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the possibility of water shortages in summer 1997. - (Holding answer 24 February 1997).

What are his Department's proposals in respect of requirements relating to oestrogen levels in drinking water.

What are his Department's proposals in respect of requirements relating to oestrogen levels in drinking water.

How many sites have been identified by English Nature as being at risk from water abstraction; and what proposals he has for the conservation of these sites and for reducing water consumption in the surrounding areas. - Including figures.

How many sites have been identified by English Nature as being at risk from water abstraction; and what proposals he has for the conservation of these sites and for reducing water consumption in the surrounding areas. - Including figures.

How many applications for drought orders have been (a) accepted and (b) refused in each of the past 10 years; and if he will list the drought (a) orders and (b) permits refused in each of the last 10 years. - Inc table.

How many applications for drought orders have been (a) accepted and (b) refused in each of the past 10 years; and if he will list the drought (a) orders and (b) permits refused in each of the last 10 years. - Inc table.

What assessment he has made of the reasons for which prosecuting authorities have withdrawn prosecutions of alleged polluters of water resources since the Water Resources Act 1991 came into force.

What assessment he has made of the reasons for which prosecuting authorities have withdrawn prosecutions of alleged polluters of water resources since the Water Resources Act 1991 came into force.

What responses he has made to date to the EU draft framework directive on water resources issued in February.

What responses he has made to date to the EU draft framework directive on water resources issued in February.

What additional investment each water company approved in the past six months to respond to the present shortage of rainfall.

What additional investment each water company approved in the past six months to respond to the present shortage of rainfall.

What response he has made to the water companies' representations on the effect of the current regulation scheme on the level of water resources; and what plans he has to initiate a discussion at high level with the regulators and the Environment Agency on water resources.

What response he has made to the water companies' representations on the effect of the current regulation scheme on the level of water resources; and what plans he has to initiate a discussion at high level with the regulators and the Environment Agency on water resources.

What research his department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the connection between rising groundwater and water lost through leaks from water company pipes.

What research his department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the connection between rising groundwater and water lost through leaks from water company pipes.

What discussions he has undertaken with OFWAT on the establishment of published leakage reduction targets for water companies.

What discussions he has undertaken with OFWAT on the establishment of published leakage reduction targets for water companies.

What plans the National Rivers Authority has to increase public access to water courses.

What plans the National Rivers Authority has to increase public access to water courses.

What plans he has to simplify the system of water abstraction licensing. - Includes ref to 'Proposed amendments to the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Reservoirs Act 1975'.

What plans he has to simplify the system of water abstraction licensing. - Includes ref to 'Proposed amendments to the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Reservoirs Act 1975'.

How many aquifers currently supplying wholesome water have been sterilized following industrial or agricultural pollution or as a result of a traffic or railway accident in the last 30 years. - This information is not held centrally. However, relevant National Rivers Authority monitoring data are recorded on public registers in...

How many aquifers currently supplying wholesome water have been sterilized following industrial or agricultural pollution or as a result of a traffic or railway accident in the last 30 years. - This information is not held centrally. However, relevant National Rivers Authority monitoring data are recorded on public registers in...

Pursuant to his Answer of 12th December, Official Report, column 588W, on what grounds the water company projections of water balances for the Periodic Review are judged to be commercially confidential.

Pursuant to his Answer of 12th December, Official Report, column 588W, on what grounds the water company projections of water balances for the Periodic Review are judged to be commercially confidential.

If he will ask the National Rivers Authority to report to him regarding the preparation by the water companies of contingency plans to safeguard water supplies in the event that below average rainfall continues for (a) a further 18 months and (b) longer. - Inc ref to National Rivers Authority...

If he will ask the National Rivers Authority to report to him regarding the preparation by the water companies of contingency plans to safeguard water supplies in the event that below average rainfall continues for (a) a further 18 months and (b) longer. - Inc ref to National Rivers Authority...

When the National Rivers Authority will report to him on the adequacy of water companies' plans to safeguard water supplies next summer; and what is the minimum time required if Government intervention is necessary to protect and provide water supplies if the water companies' plans prove inadequate.

When the National Rivers Authority will report to him on the adequacy of water companies' plans to safeguard water supplies next summer; and what is the minimum time required if Government intervention is necessary to protect and provide water supplies if the water companies' plans prove inadequate.

What advice he has issued in respect of the preparation of contingency plans prepared to meet water consumption requirements in each region next summer in the event of below average winter rainfall.

What advice he has issued in respect of the preparation of contingency plans prepared to meet water consumption requirements in each region next summer in the event of below average winter rainfall.

If he will investigate the extent to which water in the aquifers of the Doncaster area geological syncline could be used in greater volumes, either in the public water supply or other purposes; what is the current cost of obtaining potable water from this source; what capital and revenue costs...

If he will investigate the extent to which water in the aquifers of the Doncaster area geological syncline could be used in greater volumes, either in the public water supply or other purposes; what is the current cost of obtaining potable water from this source; what capital and revenue costs...