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Water Companies

Volume 491: debated on Monday 20 April 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the procedures of an inquiry by his Department into a water company's Water Resources Action Plan includes an appeals procedure. (269196)

Water companies have recently published their statements of response to the representations received on their draft Water Resources Management Plans. The Secretary of State is considering the draft plans and the statements of response in order to reach a decision on the need for hearings or inquiries. Any hearing or inquiry will be conducted by an independent Inspector who will provide advice to the Secretary of State. There is no mechanism to appeal against that advice. Any decisions by the Secretary of State as a result of his review of the plans and statements of response, or as a result of the hearings or inquiries, may be challenged through the Judicial Review Process.