asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received in favour of ground-water protection zones.

Designation of protection zones to safeguard vulnerable water resources was contained in the Government's consultation paper, "The Water Environment: The Next Steps", published last year. A total of 185 responses were received to the consultation paper. Certain further representations have meanwhile been received on the use of protection zones in limiting nitrate levels in drinking water, following publication in December of the report of the nitrate co-ordination group.