§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to make water companies liable for flood damage from sewer pipes.
§ Mr. MacleanFollowing proposals made by the Director General of Water Services, the Water Supply and Sewerage Services (Customer Service Standards) (Amendment) Regulations 1993, SI.1993 No. 500, which came into effect on 1 April 1993, extended the scope of the water industry's guaranteed standards scheme to provide, among other measures, for the refund of annual sewerage charges, up to a maximum of £1,000, paid by customers who suffer foul flooding of their property. I welcome these improvements to the generally good services that the water companies provide for their customers.