HC Deb 02 July 1980 vol 987 cc1515-6
8. Mr. Eggar

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the review the National Water Council is carrying out in connection with the problems associated with the extension of optional metering to domestic households.

Mr. King

I understand that the working party expects to submit its report to the National Water Council by the end of September, and I would hope to receive it shortly afterwards, together with its advice.

Mr. Eggar

As Thames water authority consumers are already paying a considerable subsidy to consumers in other areas, and as consumers sometimes have to pay water rates on garages that have no water or sewerage connections, will my right hon. Friend ensure that authorities have to offer the option of metering to all water consumers?

Mr. King

As my hon. Friend appreciates, some authorities offer that option. I should like to await the report before I consider the matter further. We shall look at this issue seriously.

Mr. John Wells

Will my right hon. Friend consider the entire water industry again? Does not he accept that there are major problems not only in metering, but in the entire carry-on of all water authorities?

Mr. King

My hon. Friend may have missed my reply to question No. 1, in which I made clear that that was what we were doing.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

What is the estimated public expenditure costs of instal- ling water meters in all domestic households?

Mr. King

The figures were last estimated in 1975, and the top range was £950 million. An approximate estimate might be £1,500 million.