Welsh Water Authority (Hansard, 9 June 1986)

§ 6. Mr. Geraint Howells
asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he now expects the Welsh water authority to be privatised.

Mr. Robinson
It is expected that all water authorities will change their status to water supply plcs on the same day in 1987 following passage of the necessary legislation.

§ Mr. Howells
Can the Minister give an assurance to the people of Wales that if, and when, the Welsh water authority and the assets of the Severn-Trent water authority in Wales are privatised, the people of Wales will have the first opportunity to buy the shares, or will part of the assets be handed back to the city of Birmingham council?

Mr. Robinson
There will be every opportunity for the people of Wales and for those who work for the Welsh water authority to buy shares in the company when it comes to flotation.

§ Mr. Ray Powell
When the Minister talks to the chairman of the Welsh water authority about privatisation, will he also discuss security? Is he aware that last week in my constituency a boy of eight called Leighton Jenkins was found at the bottom of a sewage tank after 10 days of a massive search by police and residents in the Bettws area? Will the Minister see that an inquiry is conducted to ensure that in future all sewage and water works are properly secured against young children? Will he also ensure that there is an inquiry into the death of this constituent of mine, Leighton Jenkins?

Mr. Robinson
I cannot comment on the case of Leighton Jenkins, because I understand that it is still the subject of a coroner's inquiry. Security at Welsh water authority facilities — indeed, at all water authority facilities — is important, but it is a matter for the authorities themselves.

§ Mr. Best
Can my hon. Friend assure the people of Wales that after privatisation the interests of the consumer will be better protected by the Director General of Water Services than they are at present?

Mr. Robinson
I can tell my hon. Friend that the consumer will be better protected by the Director General of Water Services, and also by the procedures that we are instituting for consumer protection. It is intended to retain a simplified version of the present system, with a regional committee supported by three divisional committees in Wales.

§ Mr. D. E. Thomas
I am sure that the Minister will extend the sympathy of the House to the family of Leighton Jenkins, who was the victim of this appalling tragedy. Does the Minister accept that the section of the water authority land and reservoir facilities at Llyn Celyn in the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency has long been the subject of contention in Wales? Does he also 9 accept that that reservoir was built by Liverpool corporation against the express wishes of the majority of the Welsh population and Welsh Members of Parliament? Finally, does he accept that there are people in the community who will not accept the re-privatisation of that structure and will want it to remain within Welsh public ownership?

Mr. Robinson
; I extend deepest sympathy to the parents of the child. The security of children at any water authority installation is a matter of great concern, and I know that the water authorities do their best to try to ensure that children are protected. When problems occur the authorities will, of course, take the necessary action to try to improve the situation.
I do not accept that the privatisation of the water industry will be disadvantageous to the people of Wales. It will be a positive measure and will not only improve the water service throughout the Principality, but will lead to improved investment and progressively lower charges in terms of inflation.

§ Mrs. Clwyd
How can the Minister square his remarks about water privatisation with the document recently presented by Arthur Collins and Company about the privatisation of water services? That document is an independent financial appraisal of privatisation, and its authors have come to the conclusion that a private monopoly of water will lead to higher prices or poorer services, or probably both.

Mr. Robinson
All sorts of bodies can reach conclusions of that nature, but the Government have reached the conclusion that the water industry w ill he better off in the private sector and that it will open up great opportunities for the water industry. That is why we are pursuing that course.