To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the New Abbey water supply in Dumfries and Galloway will meet the European Community drinking water standard for aluminium at the end of 1990 when the article 20 delay expires.

[holding answer 29 June 1990]: Because of naturally-occurring aluminium in the source water, the supply concerned will not always meet the standard. A relaxation of the standard has been authorised to cover this for the time being, but the water authority intends to develop schemes to remove the need for such relaxation.