§ 17. Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the reorganisation of the Welsh water authority.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsSince the reorganisation I have had no formal representations about the organisation of the authority as such. I have, however, received some representations about membership of the local consumer advisory committees.
§ Mr. EvansIs it not a fact that all the local authority associations have complained about the Water Bill now in Committee and that opposition has also come from local authorities in Wales? In view of the deep anxiety about the water charges problem in Wales, what will the Government do to replace the Water Charges Equalisation Act 1977 which is being removed by the Bill?
§ Mr. RobertsWe would expect to get representations from the local authority associations about the Bill, because one of its aims, as the hon. Gentleman knows, is largely to remove local authority representation from the water authorities themselves on to local advisory committees, where we believe the local authorities are best placed to represent their electorate. With regard to charging, the aim of the Water Bill is to create more efficient authorities. That efficiency, more than anything, will reduce charges.