§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of installing domestic and commercial water meters;
(2) what estimate he has made of the cost of running a domestic and commercial water-metering system.
§ Mr. Denis HowellIt is difficult to make reliable estimates of the cost of installing and running water meters. The National Water Council has recently estimated, however, that the total capital cost of installing meters in all properties at present provided with an unmeasured water supply would be between £650 million and £950 million, and that the annual costs, including maintenance and meter reading, would be between £6.60 and £9.50 per dwelling.