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Artificial Reefs
Mr. Fearn:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if his Department plans to investigate the environmental impact of building artificial reefs to create surfing waves around Britain's coast; [95929]
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Mr. Mullin:
No assessments have been made because no firm proposals have been submitted. More than one permission would be required. Constructing an artificial reef to create surfing waves would require prior written
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consent from this Department to ensure that danger or obstruction to navigation was not likely to result. Such works would also require a licence from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. They would take full account of effects on the marine environment.
Mr. Michael J. Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the number of residents under 18 years of age at 30 June 1996, as used in the local government finance settlement, in each local authority area in England. [95734]
Ms Beverley Hughes:
The Registrar General's estimates of the number of residents under 18 years of age at 30 June 1996 were used in the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 local government finance settlements. The Office for National Statistics published revised population estimates for 1996 on 27 August 1998. These were used in the 1999-2000 settlement.
(2) what investigation his Department has carried out to assess the impact on the surrounding coastline of creating an artificial reef off the coast at Bournemouth. [95930]
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Water Industry
Mrs. Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received and what research he has commissioned on the likely effect of the periodic review of water prices in England and Wales on those employed (a) directly and (b) indirectly within the water industry; and if he will make a statement; [95553]
- (2) what representations he has received and what research his Department has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned, on the implications of the loss of further jobs in the water industry in England and Wales for (i) safety, (ii) customer service standards, (iii) continuity of supply and (iv) environmental standards; and if he will make a statement; [95554]
(3) what discussions he has held with (a) the Director General of Ofwat and (b) other organisations over likely job losses in the water industry in England and Wales as a result of the periodic review of water prices; and if he will make a statement. [95555]
Mr. Mullin: My Department has received representations about possible job losses in the water industry, from some water companies, from Water UK, from employees of water companies and from the union, UNISON. My Department has not undertaken or commissioned research on employment in the water industry, nor discussed this with the Office of Water Services.
The examination of the water industry's costs and efficiency assumptions is a matter for the Director General of Water Services. He has a statutory duty to secure that water companies properly carry out their functions and are able to finance them. These functions must be carried out in full compliance with all legal requirements, including drinking water quality (regulated
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by the Drinking Water Inspectorate), health and safety (regulated by the Health and Safety Executive), environmental standards (regulated by the Environment Agency) and customer service and continuity of supply (regulated by the Director General himself). In conducting his periodic review of water price limits the Director General is expecting companies to improve on efficiency savings that they have already achieved. It will be for water and sewerage undertakers to ensure that they maintain the necessary staff and other resources to meet these obligations in full.
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