Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Burghart and Michael Gove

Thursday 18th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alex Burghart (Brentwood and Ongar) (Con)]

3. What recent discussions he has had with representatives of the water companies on their performance.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Michael Gove)]

The water regulators—Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the Drinking Water Inspectorate—hold regular discussions with water companies about their performance. I recently had the opportunity to address water companies at the Water UK conference, and most recently I met representatives from the industry on 31 July to discuss their performance and, indeed, underperformance.

[Alex Burghart]

I thank the Secretary of State for that response and congratulate him on the work he has done to put pressure on water companies to close down their offshore arrangements. Will he continue to hold them to account?

[Michael Gove]

Absolutely. Water companies have taken advantage of offshore arrangements, which may have been in the interests of some of those who receive dividends, but have not been in the interests of consumers. Those arrangements are now ending.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Burghart and Michael Gove

Thursday 7th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

I commend my hon. Friend for his campaigning on this issue, and, as he points out, as we leave the EU there are opportunities to review and change our approach to live exports, and to ensure higher standards of animal welfare.

[Alex Burghart (Brentwood and Ongar) (Con)]

6. What steps he is taking to maintain the economic viability of farming after the UK has left the EU.