HC Deb 28 January 1943 vol 386 c614
55. Sir A. Southby

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that much injustice is occasioned to individual householders who are called upon by water companies to pay for the repair of the communicating water pipes lying under roadways now subjected to the stresses of war-time heavy traffic; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the liability should rest where it rightly belongs, namely, upon the water undertakings?

Mr. E. Brown

The more recent special Acts of some of the larger water undertakings relieve the individual consumer of responsibility for maintaining the communication pipe, which means, broadly speaking, that part of the service pipe leading from the main to his premises which lies under the street in which the main is laid The Central Water Advisory Committee recommended in their Second Report that this transfer of responsibility should become generally applicable to all water undertakings. This recommendation has been noted for legislation when a suitable opportunity occurs.

Sir A. Southby

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the water companies are trying to force unfortunate householders, who are already feeling the strain of high taxation and the high cost of living, to pay these charges for work which is in no way their real responsibility? Pending legislation being introduced, will he approach the companies in order to see that these charges are not levied on people who can ill afford to pay them?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me some information of the cases he has in mind, I will consider it.