§ 29. Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a further statement of Government policy on the collection of sewerage charges, following the recent decision by the House of Lords in the case of the South West Water Authority versus Daymond.
§ Mr. OakesI have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister for Planning and Local Government gave to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Mr. Freud) on Thursday 18th December 1975.—[Vol. 902, c. 740–1.]
§ Mr. HurdWill the Minister give some indication of the line to be taken in, Government proposals? Will the view be that people who live in property unconnected to main drainage are to be relieved of any future obligation to pay for main drainage services, or will everybody be treated under the same umbrella and all those who live in properties unconnected to main drainage be told that they should pay but will then have their cesspits and septic tanks cleared without further charge?
§ Mr. OakesLegislation is shortly to be introduced as a result of the High Court case. It is intended that people shall obtain refunds by way of deductions from the 1976–77 general rate demand. A considerable amount of administrative work is involved, but this is the cheapest method of undertaking the operation. I would point out that the present difficulty arises as a result of legislation introduced by the Conservative Government which created considerable difficulty for the nation as a whole.