HC Deb 31 July 1974 vol 878 c305W
Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the cost of extending rate rebates to cover water and sewerage charges.

Mr. Oakes

I regret that I do not have sufficient data to enable such an estimate to be made.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether householders whose homes are not connected to mains water or sewerage will not be charged for such facilities next year; what progress is being made by water authorities in identifying those homes not connected to mains water or sewerage; and if he will give an estimate of when this identification programme will be finished.

Mr. Denis Howell

Only about 500 properties not supplied with piped water are at present charged for it. As regards sewerage, I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer on 3rd July to Questions by the hon. Members for Ripon (Dr. Hampson), Arundel (Mr. Marshall), Mix-Oxon (Mr. Hurd) and Harrogate (Mr. Banks). I do not think that it is practicable to forecast when every house affected will have been identified.