HC Deb 18 May 1994 vol 243 cc807-8
14. Mr. Richards

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the level of investment in the water industry in 1978–79; and what is the expected level in 1992–93 expressed in constant prices.

Mr. Gummer

On a comparable basis at constant prices, water industry capital expenditure in 1978–79 was about £1.1 billion. By 1992–93, it had almost trebled to some £3.2 billion.

Mr. Richards

Is my right hon. Friend aware that about three weeks ago I opened phase 1 of a new sewage treatment plant in Kinmel bay in my constituency costing £23 million? Will my right hon. Friend and his hon. Friends now come to sunny Rhyl for their summer holidays, so that they can swim in the beautiful clean sea and enjoy the wonderful amenities there for family holidays?

Mr. Gummer

There is no doubt that Rhyl and the rest of that particularly beautiful north Wales coast is a fine place for a holiday and I am looking forward very much to doing some canvassing in the European elections in that area.

Mrs. Anne Campbell

Is the Minister aware that the cost of this investment has been borne by many people who cannot afford to pay—that is, water rate payers and even those on low incomes? Is he further aware that this is leading to a very high rate of water disconnections in my constituency—the third highest in the country? Is it not time he stopped this extortion by water companies from people who cannot afford to pay?

Mr. Gummer

It is difficult to put the hon. Lady's question alongside the constant demands of Labour Members for even more spending. Where do they think the money comes from? In the end, it comes from the consumers of water. There is no other way of delivering these very large sums of money. As the hon. Lady is concerned about the situation, I hope that she will support the very careful and cost-effective way in which we are ensuring that we spend what is necessary without overspending. I am sure that her electors in Cambridge will want her to affirm her support, even though she may have to vote against her own Front Bench.

Mr. Nicholls

Although that may be jolly good news in Wales, the standards imposed by the European Commission on the west country mean that people in that region face an intolerable burden, with some 650,000 water charge payers being responsible for cleaning up one third of the nation's coast. While I accept that that is an obligation imposed by the EC and not Her Majesty's Government, will my right hon. Friend tell us what steps are being taken to ensure that the intolerable burden imposed by Europe will be ameliorated?

Mr. Gummer

I agree with my hon. Friend who, with his colleagues, has been consistent in pressing on me the very serious matter that he has raised here. We have looked at the way in which the burden falls upon all consumers so that it is as cost-effective as possible. I know that Mr. Ian Byatt is completing his discussions with the water companies and that we should have some direct figures very soon. I hope that my hon. Friend recognises how closely we have been watching the situation. I know that he has pressed hard on behalf of his constituents and others on this matter.