§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he expects to be the total yield of the sewerage charge in 1974–75 and of the water rate for 1974–75 for England and Wales; and what estimate he has made of the cost of providing the equivalent sewerage and water services in England and Wales in 1973–74.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI understand that the yield of the charge made in 1974–75 for sewerage, sewage disposal and certain other services will be about £325 million; and that the yield of water rules charged by water authorities will be about £150 million. I have made no56W estimate of the cost of the full range of comparable services in 1973–74, but the estimates last September by the authorities then responsible for the services indicate totals in excess of £200 million and £110 million respectively. It would, however, be unwise to regard these two sets of figures as providing a reliable basis for comparison. The 1973 estimates were, for example, generally at July 1973 price levels, and they include no provision for essential revenue balances. No balances were transferred with the sewerage services, and no net balances with the water services.