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1125300

registered interest
date	08/05/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Low Emission Zones
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make available funds from the Air Quality Grant Program to support local investment in ultra-low emission zones in suburbs of major cities; and will he make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	251896
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>The Air Quality Grant is a competitive grant and eligible local authorities can apply for support on innovative projects to reduce air pollution. Projects are evaluated based on air quality priorities.</p><p> </p><p>We have provided almost £500 million to local authorities to enable action to tackle harmful roadside emissions including through clean air zones, and more than £3 million will be awarded to local authorities this year via the Air Quality Grant Fund.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 15/05/2019 15:13:26 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1125301

registered interest
date	08/05/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Air Pollution
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what monitoring of air quality takes place in each local authority area in England; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	251897
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to review and assess local ambient air quality, and are responsible for mitigation of air pollution where people are likely to be exposed. Defra provides guidance and support to local authorities on monitoring; positioning of monitors is expected to be in line with national and local priorities.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, Defra’s national network of air quality monitors currently comprises 272 sites across the UK and is managed by the Environment Agency. Sites are organised into networks that gather information on a wide range of pollutants in towns and cities as well as in rural areas. Some monitoring sites are focused on measuring specific sources, e.g. road traffic or industry whilst others are focused on background concentrations.</p><p> </p><p>Monitoring data is made available on our UK-AIR website. Data from the Automatic Urban and Rural Network is reported in near-real-time and is updated every hour. The website is: <a href="https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 16/05/2019 12:08:50 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1123072

registered interest
date	25/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Canoeing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department last met with representatives of British Canoeing on access on Inland Waterways; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of granting canoeists the same level of access rights on inland waterways in England as is granted in Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	247567
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/05/2019 answer text <p>I met British Canoeing to discuss access on inland waterways on 26 November.</p><p> </p><p>Government policy continues to be that access to rivers should be arranged through voluntary agreements between landowners, canoeists and those wishing to use the water for recreational purposes.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 03/05/2019 13:25:32 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1123073

registered interest
date	25/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Inland Waterways
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the statutory right of navigation on water in relation to shared access for recreation.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	247568
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/05/2019 answer text <p>Access to waterways, including for recreational purposes, remains subject to licence by the relevant navigation authority, or subject to agreement with the riparian landowner where there is no navigation authority in place.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 03/05/2019 13:22:16 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1123074

registered interest
date	25/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Countryside: Access
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many square kilometres of countryside were covered by access arrangements and available to the public before the introduction of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	247569
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/05/2019 answer text <p>The total area covered by access agreements in England before the introduction of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 was 4,890 square kilometres.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 03/05/2019 13:41:15 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1123075

registered interest
date	25/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Countryside: Access
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the ability to secure locally agreed access arrangements to facilitate greater public access to the countryside, before the introduction of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	247570
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/05/2019 answer text <p>There has been no recent assessment of this nature, however access agreements were included as part of the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill research paper prior to the introduction of the Act. The full report can be viewed at: <a href="https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/RP00-31" target="_blank">https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/RP00-31</a></p><p> </p><p>Due to the length of time which has passed, many documents have been destroyed in line with standard retention periods and we have no information about other assessments prior to the introduction of the Act.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 03/05/2019 13:48:49 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1108776

registered interest
date	01/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Water Companies
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to require water companies to publish information on mains water pipes they own that are made of asbestos concrete; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	239173
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>Water companies are required to risk assess their water supplies from source to tap including the mains network. Any network risks identified are programmed for replacement where necessary. Although it is well known that there are impacts from inhaling dry asbestos fibres, this is distinct from, and should not be confused with, ingestion of asbestos. The World Health Organisation assessment is that there is no consistent evidence of impact on human health through drinking water.</p><p> </p><p>The government will not be making policy changes to require water companies to publish information on whether mains water pipes they own are made of asbestos concrete. The responsibility for maintaining assets lies with water companies.</p><p> </p><p>OFWAT are driving company investment in the water sector, for example, in the current price control period, companies are investing £44 billion in the sector. In addition, Ofwat’s regime of company performance commitments promote investment in infrastructure.</p><p> </p><p>According to the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater), whilst asbestos concrete pipework is not a significant concern for the thousands of consumers with complaints and enquiries that it supports each year, having a safe and reliable supply of tap water is of paramount importance for water consumers. CCWater expects water companies to provide clear information and reassurance to any consumer who raises questions or concerns with them about this.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey grouped question UIN 239174 question first answered 05/04/2019 17:48:02 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1108777

registered interest
date	01/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Water Companies
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he will require water companies to publish strategies to replace mains water pipes that were constructed with asbestos concrete; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	239174
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>Water companies are required to risk assess their water supplies from source to tap including the mains network. Any network risks identified are programmed for replacement where necessary. Although it is well known that there are impacts from inhaling dry asbestos fibres, this is distinct from, and should not be confused with, ingestion of asbestos. The World Health Organisation assessment is that there is no consistent evidence of impact on human health through drinking water.</p><p> </p><p>The government will not be making policy changes to require water companies to publish information on whether mains water pipes they own are made of asbestos concrete. The responsibility for maintaining assets lies with water companies.</p><p> </p><p>OFWAT are driving company investment in the water sector, for example, in the current price control period, companies are investing £44 billion in the sector. In addition, Ofwat’s regime of company performance commitments promote investment in infrastructure.</p><p> </p><p>According to the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater), whilst asbestos concrete pipework is not a significant concern for the thousands of consumers with complaints and enquiries that it supports each year, having a safe and reliable supply of tap water is of paramount importance for water consumers. CCWater expects water companies to provide clear information and reassurance to any consumer who raises questions or concerns with them about this.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey grouped question UIN 239173 question first answered 05/04/2019 17:48:02 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1108799

registered interest
date	01/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Drinking Water: Asbestos
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned on the ingestion of crocidolite blue asbestos fibres through drinking water; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	239175
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/04/2019 answer text <p>The Drinking Water Inspectorate commissioned a research review in 2002 entitled Asbestos Cement Drinking Water Pipes and Possible Health Risks. The resulting report is published on the Inspectorate’s website at <a href="http://www.dwi.gov.uk/research/" target="_blank">http://www.dwi.gov.uk/research/</a>.</p><p> </p><p>This report considered all relevant research, including that on crocidolite blue asbestos fibres, and concluded that ‘<em>the possibility of health effects from asbestos fibres in drinking water has been widely studied but with little evidence for any concern’.</em></p><p> </p><p>More recent research by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2012 and an evaluation by Health Canada also in 2012 informed the WHO’s current position that little convincing evidence has been found of the carcinogenicity of ingested asbestos.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 04/04/2019 15:45:47 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1108800

registered interest
date	01/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Drinking Water: Asbestos
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make representations to the (a) World Health Organization and (b) International Agency for Research on Cancer on undertaking additional research on cancers caused by the ingestion of asbestos fibres through drinking water; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	239176
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/04/2019 answer text <p>a) The Drinking Water Inspectorate contacted the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the topic of asbestos arising in drinking water pipes in 2018 to establish if asbestos was to be included in the forward work programme for review. The WHO’s Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality Chemical Working Group had considered asbestos in 2014 and concluded that reassessment of asbestos was a low priority however WHO have stated that they will be looking at their priorities more formally in 2019 for the forthcoming 5<sup>th</sup> edition of the Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality.</p><p>b) The International Agency for Research on Cancer is a subgroup of the WHO.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 04/04/2019 16:12:31 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas