HC Deb 12 July 1978 vol 953 c561W
27. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce a scheme for rebates on water service charges to be available to pensioners and low income families.

Mr. Denis Howell

Water service charges, including sewerage, have not been eligible for rate rebates since the implementation of the Water Act 1973, although sewerage charges were eligible for rebate before that date. Water and sewerage charges now have a similar status to those of other public utilities such as gas and electricity and are therefore taken into account in the calculation of supplementary benefit.