To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many sampling points the Environment Agency used for sampling pesticide in water in each year from 2002 to 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many sampling points the Environment Agency used for sampling pesticide in water in each year from 2002 to 2006.

My honourable friend the Minister for Housing and Planning has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. I am today announcing the publication of environmental measures in new housing as part of a wider package aimed at tackling climate change by moving towards zero-carbon development. These are: (i) a consultation document,...

My honourable friend the Minister for Housing and Planning has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. I am today announcing the publication of environmental measures in new housing as part of a wider package aimed at tackling climate change by moving towards zero-carbon development. These are: (i) a consultation document,...

I am today announcing the publication of environmental measures in new housing as part of a wider package aimed at tackling climate change by moving towards zero-carbon development. These are:"(i) a consultation document, ““Building a Greener Future””,""(ii) a draft Planning Policy Statement, ““Planning and Climate Change””,""(iii) final details of the...

I am today announcing the publication of environmental measures in new housing as part of a wider package aimed at tackling climate change by moving towards zero-carbon development. These are:"(i) a consultation document, ““Building a Greener Future””,""(ii) a draft Planning Policy Statement, ““Planning and Climate Change””,""(iii) final details of the...

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how long it takes on average to process an application for a connection to mains water supply for a new property in a rural area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how long it takes on average to process an application for a connection to mains water supply for a new property in a rural area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for connection to mains water supply for new rural properties were submitted in each year from (a) 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2006 and (b) 1 April 2006 to 30 October 2006; how many of these applications...

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for connection to mains water supply for new rural properties were submitted in each year from (a) 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2006 and (b) 1 April 2006 to 30 October 2006; how many of these applications...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for giving us that information. On regulation generally, some of what the Minister has said about the powers of the regulator give a little comfort. There is still real concern about the regulation. Again, I would like the Minister to comment on that...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for giving us that information. On regulation generally, some of what the Minister has said about the powers of the regulator give a little comfort. There is still real concern about the regulation. Again, I would like the Minister to comment on that...

My Lords, I have taken advice. The Commission has ruled that the current legislation does not conform. This legislation solves that problem.

My Lords, I have taken advice. The Commission has ruled that the current legislation does not conform. This legislation solves that problem.

rose to move, as an amendment to the above Motion, to leave out all the words after ““that”” and insert ““this House, having regard to the declaration of the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland that the draft order has not been subject to full consultation, and the repeated...

rose to move, as an amendment to the above Motion, to leave out all the words after ““that”” and insert ““this House, having regard to the declaration of the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland that the draft order has not been subject to full consultation, and the repeated...

My Lords, as I explained, the order sets out other areas where the regulator will have work. The regulator is regulating more than price—for example, I have just dealt with land disposal and other matters where the regulator will be involved. Having dealt with land regulation, I shall say a...

My Lords, as I explained, the order sets out other areas where the regulator will have work. The regulator is regulating more than price—for example, I have just dealt with land disposal and other matters where the regulator will be involved. Having dealt with land regulation, I shall say a...

My Lords, will the Minister explain a couple of points? I acknowledge that he is one of the most deeply concerned in this House about climate change and its impact on sustainability. Why, therefore, when he uses the words ““fair contribution”” with regard to pricing and to ensuring that pensioner...

My Lords, will the Minister explain a couple of points? I acknowledge that he is one of the most deeply concerned in this House about climate change and its impact on sustainability. Why, therefore, when he uses the words ““fair contribution”” with regard to pricing and to ensuring that pensioner...

My Lords, I echo what the noble Baroness, Lady O’Cathain, has suggested. In fact, that was going to be my point. Why can householders who are not pensioners or in newly built houses not have water meters fitted during the early period of charging? Do the Government not think it...

My Lords, I echo what the noble Baroness, Lady O’Cathain, has suggested. In fact, that was going to be my point. Why can householders who are not pensioners or in newly built houses not have water meters fitted during the early period of charging? Do the Government not think it...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, for moving the Motion so succinctly. Perhaps I should also thank the noble Lord, Lord Trimble, for making his case so elegantly and clearly. Her Majesty's Government have put us in a pretty intolerable situation. They have brought legislation before your...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, for moving the Motion so succinctly. Perhaps I should also thank the noble Lord, Lord Trimble, for making his case so elegantly and clearly. Her Majesty's Government have put us in a pretty intolerable situation. They have brought legislation before your...

My Lords, I wish to reinforce what the noble Lord, Lord Glentoran, said about the Minister’s speech and that of the noble Lord, Lord Trimble. The Minister’s speech brought him back on form since our rates order debate. It was interesting because it was comprehensive and acknowledged many noble Lords’...

My Lords, I wish to reinforce what the noble Lord, Lord Glentoran, said about the Minister’s speech and that of the noble Lord, Lord Trimble. The Minister’s speech brought him back on form since our rates order debate. It was interesting because it was comprehensive and acknowledged many noble Lords’...

My Lords, it is clear that the water and sewerage infrastructure in Northern Ireland needs to be brought up to modern-day health standards. We all agree that it has to be paid for, but at a time when direct Ministers are trying to restore democratic institutions in Northern Ireland, it...

My Lords, it is clear that the water and sewerage infrastructure in Northern Ireland needs to be brought up to modern-day health standards. We all agree that it has to be paid for, but at a time when direct Ministers are trying to restore democratic institutions in Northern Ireland, it...

My Lords, I apologise for my late arrival in the House—I was in attendance at the Northern Ireland Assembly. The noble Lord, Lord Trimble, said that there was an Executive-in-waiting in the Northern Ireland Assembly; as one who is a Member of that Assembly, I did not recognise that when...

My Lords, I apologise for my late arrival in the House—I was in attendance at the Northern Ireland Assembly. The noble Lord, Lord Trimble, said that there was an Executive-in-waiting in the Northern Ireland Assembly; as one who is a Member of that Assembly, I did not recognise that when...

rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 9 October be approved. The noble Lord said: My Lords, this is the second of two orders which started life under the elected devolved Administration in Northern Ireland. I apologise in advance if my speech is longer than...

rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 9 October be approved. The noble Lord said: My Lords, this is the second of two orders which started life under the elected devolved Administration in Northern Ireland. I apologise in advance if my speech is longer than...

My Lords, can the Minister make it absolutely clear when that will come into force? Will it be immediately—in 2007—or, as I think is currently the case under the licence, not until 2010?

My Lords, can the Minister make it absolutely clear when that will come into force? Will it be immediately—in 2007—or, as I think is currently the case under the licence, not until 2010?

My Lords, there are two aspects to that question, and I shall try to answer it from memory. With regard to land, I think that it will happen straightaway. As we understand it, regulators mainly regulate price. However, as I said, because the Government will subsidise the first three years...

My Lords, there are two aspects to that question, and I shall try to answer it from memory. With regard to land, I think that it will happen straightaway. As we understand it, regulators mainly regulate price. However, as I said, because the Government will subsidise the first three years...