---

4 May 2004 : Column 1410W—continued

Register of Interests

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the requirements are on officials in his Department to declare current interests; and what register of interests is kept for his departmental officials. [164704]

Mr. Pearson: The requirements placed upon officials employed in NI Departments and the Northern Ireland Office are set out in the Conduct Sections of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Pay and Conditions of Service Code and the Civil Service Management Code (Home Civil Service). These requirements place responsibility on officials to declare to senior management, as appropriate and when necessary, their current interests. The declaration must include the likelihood of possible conflicts of interest and, where appropriate, seek approval before proceeding with a particular course of action. The contents of the respective Codes are drawn to the attention of officials as part of induction programmes.

While there is no register of interests maintained centrally in respect of officials working in the NI departments or in the Northern Ireland Office, three NI departments, because of the specialised nature of their business and the interaction with the private sector and non-departmental public bodies, have established departmental registers.

Secondary School Entry (Craigavon)

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what effect the ending of academic selection for entry to secondary schools as recommended by the Costello Report would have on the Two Tier Dickson system in use in Craigavon; and if he will make a statement. [170458]

Mr. Gardiner: Schools and school managing authorities, working together in local areas, will develop new post-primary arrangements that best provide for the needs of all pupils and take account of local wishes, needs and circumstances. A two-tier system could continue to operate provided all pupils have access to the Entitlement Framework.

Waiting Lists

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of using independent hospitals outside Northern Ireland to reduce local waiting lists. [169699]

Angela Smith: Health and Social Services Boards purchase services from independent hospitals as an appropriate short-term measure to allow patients to receive their treatment more quickly. During 2002–03 and 2003–04, 628 patients were transferred to various
 
4 May 2004 : Column 1411W
 
independent hospitals outside Northern Ireland as part of a range of initiatives to reduce waiting lists and waiting times.

Water Conservation

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will support pilot schemes to promote water conservation among low income households and vulnerable people in order to reduce the impact of water charging. [168642]

Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has written to the hon. Lady in response to this question.

Letter from Mrs. Katherine Bryan to Lady Hermon, dated 30 April 2004:

You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question (No. 168642) concerning his support for pilot schemes to promote water conservation amongst low-income households and vulnerable people in order to reduce the impact of water charging.

In recognising that there is a relationship between water conservation and water consumption it is equally important to recognise that they are not synonymous. Water Service's second Water Efficiency Plan, which I launched in January 2004, sets out a wide range of measures aimed at reducing demand from water. In addition to Water Service's leakage reduction strategy, it involves a proactive approach to water conservation by all customers, including raising awareness and the further promotion of water saving devices such as Hippo Bags. The combination of conservation measures taken by Water Service and reduced consumption by customers should help to reduce projected water demand. This will ultimately reduce the charge to customers.

Changes to water consumption patterns could have a more direct impact on individual's water bills under a metered water regime. In some circumstances, lower consumption could result in a reduced bill. However, no decision has yet been taken on the form of water charging to be introduced. Research and analysis into the consequences of different approaches is currently being undertaken and the impact of charges on low-income households and vulnerable groups is one of the issues being considered.

The Government is fully committed to measures that encourage water conservation. I am advised that in June 2002 and November 2003, Water Service officials met with Eaga-partnership Ltd., which is promoting a water conservation programme known as Watersmart and is interested in undertaking a pilot study in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, the results of pilot study undertaken by Eaga-Partnership Ltd. in the Essex and Suffolk Water Company indicated that the costs of the programme are considerably in excess of the cost of comparable leakage reduction measures currently being undertaken by Water Service and would not therefore represent good value for money The company was informed of the position and agreed to provide additional information on the economic benefits of the programme. To date, Water Service has received no further communication from the company.

Water Service continually keeps its activities and procedures under review in order to improve effectiveness and deliver improved value for money to customers and taxpayers. It will continue to consider any proposals, including other pilot schemes, which would contribute to improved water conservation.

Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to improve water efficiency in (a) low income households, (b) domestic premises, (c) small businesses and (d) public sector offices; and if he will make a statement. [168930]

Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
 
4 May 2004 : Column 1412W
 

Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 29 April 2004:

You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question (No. 168930) about what plans he has to improve water efficiency in low income households, domestic premises, small businesses and public sector offices. I have been asked to reply as Chief Executive of the Water Service.

Water Service's second Water Efficiency Plan was formally launched in January 2004. The Plan sets out how Water Service proposes to extend its information and awareness campaign and to provide advice to all of the community including low income households, domestic premises, small businesses and public sector offices. Water Service will continue to extend its programme of exhibitions at major events, presentations to local groups as well as displays at local shopping centres across Northern Ireland. In addition the successful Water Bus mobile exhibition will continue to deliver the water conservation message to schools, with all children who attend being provided with a home copy of water efficiency information to give to their parent or guardian. All public sector offices have received a full water conservation pack containing Hippo bags, posters, etc and Water Service will continue to work with the public sector to promote water efficiency. Water Service has also sent small businesses and Government offices further information on how to improve water efficiency when it issued metered water accounts in 2003.

Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further research has been undertaken following the Northern Ireland Audit Office report into water efficiency in 2001; and if he will make a statement on water efficiency targets in Northern Ireland. [168931]

Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.

Letter from Katharine Bryan to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 29 April 2002:

You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question (No 168931) about what further research has been undertaken following the Northern Ireland Audit Office report into water efficiency in 2001, and water efficiency targets in Northern Ireland. I have been asked to reply as Chief Executive of the Water Service.

Water Service is committed to addressing the issues raised by the Northern Ireland Audit Office and has carried out a comprehensive review of its Water Efficiency Plan. A revised Water Efficiency Plan was formally launched in January 2004 which aims to reduce the demand for water through effective leakage management and other water conservation measures. The Plan promotes a more proactive approach to leakage reduction, water conservation including raising awareness, and the further promotion of water saving devices such as Hippo Bags. It also includes a new Leakline number for customers to report leakage incidents.

A major element of the Water Efficiency Plan is to reduce leakage from the water distribution system and Water Service has an annual water efficiency target which aims towards achieving a reduction in leakage to an economic level of 172 million litres per day in March 2007. Provisional outturn for 2003/2004 indicates that Water Service has achieved its leakage reduction targets for the past two years, resulting in total leakage being reduced by almost 60 million litres per day. The water efficiency target for 2004/2005 is to reduce leakage from the water distribution system by a further 28 mi8llion litres per day, to a level of 205 million litres per day by 31 March 2005. Water Service is committed to meeting this leakage target through upgrading the water infrastructure and by targeting resources to detect and repair leaks.

 
4 May 2004 : Column 1413W
 

---