§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have yet discussed with the European Community their intention to require consumers of water to pay certain purification costs rather than the polluters, and why Article 130 of the Treaty of Rome may in this case be disregarded.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Hesketh)Previous replies have explained the bases of charging for water treatment and how those involve the application of the polluter pays principle. The Government will continue to interpret and apply the principle in accordance with the relevant recommendations adopted by the Council of Ministers. There is no question of disregarding any article of the Treaty of Rome.