§ 8. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many letters he has received from ratepayers in Newport protesting at the level of water charges; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Wyn Roberts)Eleven, including two from the hon. Member.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister appreciate that, from the large number of petitions, there is quite an uproar in Newport over this issue, and that it is particularly understandable in view of the increase of 2,700 per cent. in those charges since 1960, with no rebate system obtaining? The issue is further compounded by the fact that Newport, the third largest town in Wales, has never had any representation on the Welsh water authority. We have now received a further smack in the eye, because Gwent has no representation on the new revamped board. Does the Minister appreciate that he and his right hon. Friend are storing up a lot of trouble for themselves?
§ Mr. RobertsThe hon. Gentleman should know that the new authority, which has been set up by my right hon. 635 Friend, is not intended to be directly representational. The hon. Gentleman's comparison of charges pre-1974 and thereafter is grossly misleading because, as no doubt he knows, the pre-1974 water rate was subsidised from the general rates, and the pre-1974 sewerage element of the general rate attracted rate support grant, whereas the present charges are unsubsidised and reflect the true cost of providing those services.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. This is a constituency question. The key words are "in Newport".
§ Mr. HughesOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.