To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of the public inquiry into South West Water's application for an Avon dam drought order.

[holding answer 16 July 1990]: I have been asked to reply.The payroll cost to the Department of providing an inspector to hold a public inquiry and report on the application by South West Water services to reduce the compensation flow from the Avon dam into the River Avon near South Brent was £598. There were also costs incurred by the Department on administration and by other public bodies involved in the inquiry.