To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that the South East Plan will be consistent with the assessment of resources under the River Basin Management Plan. (114193)

The first River Basin Management Plans will not be published until December 2009. The significant issues reports for the south east and Thames River Basin Districts, which precede these plans, are due to go out to consultation in July 2007. These reports will identify the main pressures, risks and impacts in the river basin and will include the consideration of water resources.

In assessing available water resources and future demands, the Environment Agency, as the competent authority for the implementation of the directive, will be using the same data source (with some updating) that was used for the South East Plan exercise.