To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding his Department has allocated to reducing water consumption in (a) Mid Bedfordshire constituency and (b) the East of England in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. (278847)

DEFRA does not provide direct funding to reduce water consumption in specific areas. However, the Department is supporting a media campaign to be launched this summer that will encourage water efficiency under the Act on CO₂ banner. In addition, DEFRA has funded research to support the aims of the Water Saving Group, including work on developing the evidence base for water efficiency projects, improving water efficiency in new buildings, and introducing water efficiency targets. To encourage resource efficiency in business, DEFRA jointly runs the enhanced capital allowance (ECA) scheme for water efficient technologies which provides accelerated tax relief to businesses investing in designated water saving technologies.