HC Deb 02 June 1980 vol 985 cc1023-4
5. Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to protect householders in Wales from high levels of water rates.

The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Wyn Roberts)

I regard it as one of my duties to see that water charges in Wales are no higher than is necessary.

Mr. Wigley

Is the Minister aware that the average equated rate poundage for domestic properties in Wales was 25.3p in the pound for this year compared with only 13.2p in the pound for the United Kingdom and only 8.7p in the pound for the Thames area? These figures will get substantially worse when the equalisation provisions are abandoned next year. Will not the Government think again about this and ensure that there is fair play for Welsh ratepayers over water?

Mr. Roberts

I need hardly remind the hon. Gentleman that the Welsh ratepayer is particularly favoured because Wales receives domestic support to the tune of 36p in the pound compared with the 18p support that the English receive. That cannot be disregarded. In the last three years the Welsh water authority's charges have increased by 26 per cent. compared with an increase of 43 per cent. in the retail price index.

Mr. Alec Jones

The Minister says that he is endeavouring to ensure that water charges are no higher than necessary. How can he reconcile that with the Government's declared intention to abandon the Water Charges Equalisation Act which is worth £3 million to domestic water consumers in Wales? When that Act is abolished, does he accept that Welsh domestic water consumers will have to find the extra £3 million, and that the gap between water charges in Wales and those in England will rise by about 44 per cent.? Does he accept that that is outrageous behaviour towards Welsh water consumers?

Mr. Roberts

The Act is of diminishing value for Wales. We have made an announcement about it and we have set up an inter-departmental committee to consider water charges equalisation. We are giving it urgent consideration. No decisions have yet been taken. The committee is made up of officials.