§ 12. Mr. Colemanasked the Secretary of State for Wales when next he expects to meet the chairman of the Welsh water authority to consider the future water policy for Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI shall be brief. I meet the chairman of the Welsh water authority from time to time, but arrangements for the next meeting have not yet been made.
§ Mr. ColemanIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the anger in many parts of Wales, particularly in West Glamorgan, over the recent heavy water charges which have been introduced? When he meets the chairman, will he discuss with him the justification for the standing charge of £9 per household for water, particularly when those charges are levied on the basis of rateable value and not on the basis of consumption?
§ Mr. RobertsThe hon. Gentleman will know that my right hon. Friend arranged, with the Welsh water authority's co-operation, for a team of independent accountants to examine the authority's books and to suggest whether a reduction in charges could be achieved. I am satisfied that the lower level of increase subsequently announced by the authority, amounting to an average rise of 14.8 per cent. in domestic bills, compared with the 20 per cent. originally proposed, is the minimum necessary to maintain an acceptable standard of service.