§ 30. Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he expects to be the impact of his proposals for targets for water authorities on the water rates levied in the Northumbrian water authority's area.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI expect the increase to be above the general rate of inflation but I cannot be more precise because I have yet to reach agreement on financial targets with individual water authorities and the effect on charges will only become clear when the authority fixes its budget early next year.