§ 31. Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will seek powers to enable him to provide special help in cases where abnormal increases in water charges have had to be passed on to ratepayers through the operation of the rate support grant system.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Edward Rowlands)It is not possible to introduce any further special measures for 1974–75. Most Welsh domestic ratepayers will receive a substantial measure of relief this year. In addition the Welsh National Water Development Authority is considering modifying the proposed metered charges for this year so that metered consumers will not have to pay more than 50p per thousand gallons. Arrangements for future years will be reviewed.
§ Mr. RoderickIs my hon. Friend aware that my constituents are extremely angry to find that their water charges are five times as high as the charges made to people who live in Birmingham, who receive water from the same source as do my constituents? That water is carried 80 miles and yet is charged at only one-fifth of the rate charged locally. Does not my hon. Friend feel that an investigation is needed into the activities of the Welsh National Water Development Authority?
§ Mr. RowlandsI appreciate my hon. Friend's point. These water charges are 768 a direct and inevitable consequence of the Water Act 1973, which was passed by the Conservative Government. Lord Brecon and the Welsh National Water Development Authority have promised to review the charges in light of experience this year.
§ Mr. D. E. ThomasIs the hon. Gentleman aware that my constituents are paying three times as much in water rates as is paid by people in Liverpool for water conserved in Merioneth and used in Liverpool? Will he consider whether it would be possible for a transfer of financial resources to be made to the Welsh National Water Development Authority for water conserved in the Authority's area for use outside the area?
§ Mr. RowlandsOn the authority of this House, financial arrangements have been placed by the 1973 Water Act with the Welsh National Water Development Authority. Representations of the kind suggested by the hon. Gentleman should be made to Lord Brecon.