§ 22. Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce proposals to amend the system of charging for water supply and sewage disposal.
§ Mr. MarlowDoes my right hon. Friend agree with the constipated elderly widow in my constituency—whose other disabilities prevent her from having a regular bath—that life is somewhat unfair, as the six adults who live next door, who are fitness and health fanatics, use rather more water and generate rather more sewage than she does, but are charged the same water rates? Will he say when the Government intend to do something about this? If not now, will something be brought in before the general election?
§ Mr. KingWe have taken a close interest in this matter, as my hon. Friend knows. From 1 April every water supply authority, whether a water company or authority, will offer optional domestic metering. The substantial number of new meters that have been installed will, I hope, he further expanded. People such as my hon. 862 Friend's constituent will be much better placed if they consider that option, which could show significant savings.
§ Mr. BowdenDoes my right hon. Friend accept that there are many elderly people who find it extremely difficult to pay their water rates, which have increased out of all proportion during the past three years? Will he consider introducing rebates for water rates?
§ Mr. AshtonWhy not?
§ Mr. KingFor the same reasons as the previous Government reached the same conclusions. When my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Bowden) says that water rates have increased out of all proportion, I know that his constituents in the Southern water authority area will be pleased to know that this year's increase will be 4.6 per cent.
§ Mr. CryerDoes the Minister recall that at the 1979 election the Conservatives were going to change many things and said that because a previous Government did not carry out something that did not bind them to retain an existing system? The Conservatives were going to change the rating system. Surely it is only fair that rebates should be available for water rates. Is not the Government's vicious indifference towards this matter shown by the fact that they are proposing to replace existing water authorities with nominees from the Department of the Environment who will not consider proper charging if they are instructed not to do so by his Department?
§ Mr. KingThose are two different issues. As far as I know, as a point of principle, the hon. Gentleman never raised the subject of the rebate when his party was in power —[HON. MEMBERS: "He did".] If he did, he was not successful. The issue is whether such a rebate is more a matter for the normal DHSS machinery than something provided through the water authority. While rebates are important, so is the general level of water charges. Continuing pressure to try to achieve greater economy and efficiency in water authorities is resulting directly in lower water increases this year.