asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether there have been any occasions in recent years when aluminium levels in water supplies in the United Kingdom have not been within the limits laid down by the European Community directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption.

Aluminium levels in some United Kingdom water supplies do exceed the limit laid down by the European Community. Derogation or delay applications have been received by the competent national authorities in the United Kingdom in respect of 179 water supply zones in which the maximum admissible concentration for aluminium of 0·2 mg per litre is exceeded on the basis of a three-monthly average. These applications are under consideration.