HC Deb 17 March 1976 vol 907 cc1318-9
19. Mr. Wells

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take urgent steps to provide for equality of treatment between one class of ratepayer and another in the matter of sewage disposal by cesspool, septic tank or main drainage and in paying for general amenities such as flood and coast protection.

Mr. John Silkin

Cesspool emptying is the responsibility of local authorities; sewerage and sewage disposal are the responsibility of water authorities. Any change in the allocation of responsibilities between authorities needs the most careful consideration. The issues will be raised in the forthcoming consultation paper on the review of the water industry. Flood and coast protection are part of land drainage, which is financed by a precept on the rates.

Mr. Wells

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as a result of a recent case in the House of Lords, many people with septic tanks and cesspools are currently paying little towards flood relief? Is he also aware that such people are now being asked for exorbitant emptying charges by many local authorities? Does he not agree that equity should be achieved between one class and another? It is the poorest people who frequently have sealed tanks, which will overflow if they are not emptied and will cause a health hazard. It is the less-well-off families where there are many in a household and more water flowing through the system, which caused——

Mr. Speaker

That is an inordinately long question.

Mr. Silkin

The emptying of cesspools is often more expensive than installing main drainage and it is therefore natural that local authorities should seek to make up the difference, otherwise they would be subsidising the service. The general question is important. We could not deal with it in the Water Charges Bill, which was concerned with the House of Lords decision in the Daymond case. The issue will figure strongly in the consultation document to be issued tomorrow and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be able to give us many pages of recommendations about it.

Mr. Spearing

The Water Act gives powers for the compulsory metering of domestic water supplies. Does the document to be published tomorrow confirm that, or are the Government proposing to eliminate that provision from the Act?

Mr. Silkin

The House appears to be anxious to have a sneak preview of the document. It would be better to wait until we get the document tomorrow so that everyone can look at it calmly and carefully and give the benefit of his advice.

Mr. Costain

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that those living in small cottages are worried because they think that they may have to pay £250 a year to have their cesspools emptied? That could lead to very serious pollution.

Mr. Silkin

I am sure that we shall welcome, as always, the hon. Gentleman's observations on the document when it is published tomorrow. I agree that it is an expensive matter. It is much more expensive to empty cesspools than to deal with main drainage.