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.

If he will comment on the legal responsibility of local authorities and the water service companies with respect to sewer baiting.

If he will comment on the legal responsibility of local authorities and the water service companies with respect to sewer baiting.

How many prosecutions have been made under Section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991 for offences within North Staffordshire.

How many prosecutions have been made under Section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991 for offences within North Staffordshire.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5th March, Official Report, column 682W, when he estimates his Department will issue the discussion paper on using economic instruments to achieve water protection policy objectives. - The Government intend to issue the paper during the spring.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5th March, Official Report, column 682W, when he estimates his Department will issue the discussion paper on using economic instruments to achieve water protection policy objectives. - The Government intend to issue the paper during the spring.

How many samples of discharge have been taken by the Environment Agency since 1st April 1996 in Stoke on Trent North; of these, how many showed a breach of discharge consent under the Water Resources Act 1991; and in each case what was the nature of the breach.

How many samples of discharge have been taken by the Environment Agency since 1st April 1996 in Stoke on Trent North; of these, how many showed a breach of discharge consent under the Water Resources Act 1991; and in each case what was the nature of the breach.

What representations he has received on sewerage discharge in Upper Trent; and if he will make a statement. - None.

What representations he has received on sewerage discharge in Upper Trent; and if he will make a statement. - None.

In how many cases the Environment Agency has granted new discharge consent without advertisement in North Staffordshire.

In how many cases the Environment Agency has granted new discharge consent without advertisement in North Staffordshire.

How much was spent by water companies in 1996 on (a) the installation of and (b) the administrative costs of household metering. - Information is not available in the form requested.

How much was spent by water companies in 1996 on (a) the installation of and (b) the administrative costs of household metering. - Information is not available in the form requested.

How many incidents relating to cryptosporidium in drinking water are awaiting assessment and report by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and if he will list the incidents by water company and date relating to cryptosporidium in drinking water reported to the drinking water inspectorate since 1 January 1993. - Inc table.

How many incidents relating to cryptosporidium in drinking water are awaiting assessment and report by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and if he will list the incidents by water company and date relating to cryptosporidium in drinking water reported to the drinking water inspectorate since 1 January 1993. - Inc table.

What discussions he has had with Ofwat regarding compensation to be paid to the customers affected by the cryptosporidium incident in the area of the Three Valleys Water Company. - None. The drinking water inspectorate has commenced a full investigation.

What discussions he has had with Ofwat regarding compensation to be paid to the customers affected by the cryptosporidium incident in the area of the Three Valleys Water Company. - None. The drinking water inspectorate has commenced a full investigation.

What percentage of the cost of the free installation of water meters was paid for by (a) increased domestic customer charges and (b) shareholders in 1996.

What percentage of the cost of the free installation of water meters was paid for by (a) increased domestic customer charges and (b) shareholders in 1996.

What consultation Ofwat has held with non-metered householders about the costs to them of free meter installation.

What consultation Ofwat has held with non-metered householders about the costs to them of free meter installation.

When the Drinking Water Inspectorate will report on the Shipley/Bingley incident of cryptosporidium in drinking water on 11th June 1993.

When the Drinking Water Inspectorate will report on the Shipley/Bingley incident of cryptosporidium in drinking water on 11th June 1993.

What steps he is taking to ensure that in each water company area in England the water is safe to drink.

What steps he is taking to ensure that in each water company area in England the water is safe to drink.

How many incidents of cryptosporidium in the water supply have been notified to him in the past 12 months; and in which water company areas. - Inc tables.

How many incidents of cryptosporidium in the water supply have been notified to him in the past 12 months; and in which water company areas. - Inc tables.

Which areas of the North and Irish Seas have been designated high natural dispersion areas. - Inc fact that have placed in the Library a table of those areas in England and Wales in the North and Irish seas jointly identified (Dep/3 4783).

Which areas of the North and Irish Seas have been designated high natural dispersion areas. - Inc fact that have placed in the Library a table of those areas in England and Wales in the North and Irish seas jointly identified (Dep/3 4783).

When he last (a) commissioned and (b) published a report on the prevention of cryptosporidium contamination of drinking water supplies.

When he last (a) commissioned and (b) published a report on the prevention of cryptosporidium contamination of drinking water supplies.

If he will support proposals for negotiations on (i) a Freshwater Convention and (ii) a Forest Convention at the Earth Summit II.

If he will support proposals for negotiations on (i) a Freshwater Convention and (ii) a Forest Convention at the Earth Summit II.

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.

In which years since 1979 government assistance was given to capital or revenue expenditure of (i) publicly owned and (ii) private water companies for (a) new reservoirs and (b) prevention of leaks in mains supplies; and in each case what was the nature of the assistance.

In which years since 1979 government assistance was given to capital or revenue expenditure of (i) publicly owned and (ii) private water companies for (a) new reservoirs and (b) prevention of leaks in mains supplies; and in each case what was the nature of the assistance.