To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information his Department holds that enables him to assess the extent to which potable water in Wales complies with the European Community directive relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption (80/77/EEC).

Welsh water authority has the responsibility for ensuring that potable water within the Principality meets the standards of the directive.The Welsh Office holds information concerning time-limited derogations and delays, which have been granted under articles 9 and 20 of the directive, in respect of sources which do not fully meet the standards. The water authority's progress in achieving compliance where derogations and delays have been granted is regularly reviewed.The authority and the water companies in Wales have also submitted preliminary programmes of remedial work in relation to the proposed drinking water quality regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the cost at current prices to the Welsh water authority of complying with the European Community directive relating to the quality of water for human consumption (80/77/EEC).

The full cost of the programme is still being evaluated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the cost at current prices to the Welsh water authority to bring the 11 bathing beaches which failed to comply with bathing water directive (76/160/EEC) into conformity.

The authority is currently reviewing its programme of remedial works which aims to achieve compliance of all listed waters. The full cost of the programme has yet to be evaluated.