HC Deb 10 May 1976 vol 911 cc6-7
5. Mr. Roderick

the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any proposals to make on the method of lection of water and sewerage charges.

The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Alec Jones)

Water authorities are responsible for deciding the method of collecting charges for water services. I understand that the Welsh authority has no plans for extending present direct billing arrangements, which are confined to Clwyd and Anglesey.

Mr. Roderick

Is my hon. Friend aware that this idea that direct billing should take place throughout Wales is being floated, and will he be careful in considering whether to accept such advice? Is he further aware that the costs will be astronomical if we proceed along this path? Will he ensure, however, that local authorities can separately bill, within the same envelope, the amount of water rates? Members of the public are not fully aware of these costs. Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that water charges become rebatable in the near future?

Mr. Alec Jones

We are certainly aware of the difficulties that have arisen, and I take my hon. Friend's point. I have written to the Welsh National Water Development Authority asking it to pay particular attention to the overriding need to avoid any net increase in public expenditure as a consequence of the extension of direct billing.

With regard to the question of rebates, since the water charges are not part of the rating system they are not eligible for rate rebates.

Sir Raymond Gower

While appreciating the formidable amount of capital expenditure that the Welsh National Water Development Authority has to tackle because of the defects of the system in the past, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the present programme is not somewhat over-ambitious over the shorter period, and, therefore, the charges are likely to be upgraded too suddenly?

Mr. Alec Jones

I disagree with the hon. Gentleman. In fact, the proposals for expenditure by the Welsh National Water Development Authority are, in the main, confined to items affecting the health of our people, housing, and industrial development. There are priority schemes, and these are going forward.

Mr. Grist

Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that direct billing would make nonsense of charging on rateable values for domestic water rates?

Mr. Alec Jones

The minor extension that has taken place to give a uniform system in Clwyd does not accord with the hon. Gentleman's suggestion. The Welsh National Water Development Authority has said that its minor extension to give a uniform pattern throughout Clwyd is estimated to save £11,000 per annum.