To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who has responsibility for managing the water level of Lake Windermere; and how this management is undertaken. (310365)

[holding answer 12 January 2010]: The Environment Agency is responsible for the operation of the Newby Bridge Sluices situated on the River Leven, which flows out of Windermere. The sluices have a limited controlling effect, reducing the lake level when it is high.

United Utilities carries out abstraction for the public water supply and this controls the lake’s water level when it is normal or low.