Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much money her Department has spent on a) lawyers and b) consultants in drafting the Water Bill.

Defra follows strict departmental, commercial and legal governance processes when engaging consultants or external legal support. Defra legal costs are covered through arrangements with the Government Legal Department. The department does not hold centrally recorded information on the amount spent on lawyers in drafting the Water Bill.