§ SIR MANCHERJEE BHOWNAGGREE (Bethnal Green, N.E.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether sub-Clause (6) of Clause 15 of the London Water Bill, which was inserted by the Joint Committee, will have the effect of preventing any equalisation of water charges.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Bristol, S.I think not. The Water Board will acquire all the rights and powers of the several water companies, and, with a view to the equalisation of the water charges, they will be able to alter, within the limits prescribed by the Acts relating to any particular company, the rates now charged by that company for the supply of water, subject to this, that they must not reduce the rates below those in force during the quarter ended on June 24th, 1902, if such reduction would, or would be likely to, cause a deficiency in the water fund. The reason for this limitation is that the amount of any deficiency in the water fund would have to be made out of the general rates levied in the area under the Water Board.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)Does that practically mean that if the rates are lower in one district than another at the present moment, the higher rate cannot be lowered because of the deficiency?
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe higher rate cannot be lowered if, in the opinion of the Water Board, it would cause a deficiency. Lower rates may be raised, but higher rates cannot be lowered