HC Deb 06 May 1988 vol 132 cc613-4W
Mr. O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the increases in both domestic and business charges by all the regional water authorities for each of the past five years.

Mr. Moynihan

The information requested on increases in domestic water charges was set out in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) on 29 June 1987Official Report, column 46. Information on business charges will require time to prepare. I will answer that part of the hon. Member's as soon as it is available.

Mr. O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the annual return on assets by all the regional water authorities for each of the past five years.

Mr. Moynihan

The information requested is set out for English water authorities in the table.

Achieved rate of return (DOE services) per cent.
1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87
Northumbrian 1.62 1.75 1.78 2.11 2.39
Northwest 1.36 1.16 0.72 1.37 1.69
Severn Trent 1.36 1.10 1.00 1.39 1.97
Yorkshire 1.31 1.25 0.99 1.35 1.74
Anglian 2.29 1.69 1.59 1.83 2.43
Thames 0.88 0.90 1.13 1.68 1.80
Southern 1.22 0.97 0.93 1.56 1.91
Wessex 1.31 1.08 0.77 1.28 1.99
Southwest 1.52 1.39 1.46 1.88 2.05

Source: Water Authorities' Annual Reports and Accounts.

Mr. O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines are given to regional water authorities on the revaluation of assets which are underground; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moynihan

Guidance on accounting matters is given to each water authority in a letter from the Department which is reproduced in their annual accounts which are laid before Parliament and placed in the Library. The Water Authorities (Return on Assets) Order 1987, SI No. 2022, 1987 prescribes the basis on which assets are to be valued for the purposes of the order.