§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which water companies have informed their customers of their duty to install a free water meter; and what sanctions exist for those that have not. [147754]
§ Mr. MeacherI understand that all companies include details of their free meter options within their Charges Schemes and associated leaflets which are available to customers. As part of its examination of companies' Charges Schemes for the year beginning 1 April 2001, Ofwat wrote to companies which it considered did not contain sufficient information. Most companies also promote the availability of the free meter option either on the bill or in accompanying literature.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what targets he has set for the take-up of free water meters. [147756]
§ Mr. MeacherNo targets have been set for the take-up of free water meters. The option is left to the free choice of customers.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from(a) water companies and (b) consumer groups about the provision of free water meters. [147755]
§ Mr. MeacherMost water companies and several consumer groups made representations about various aspects of the free meter option in response to public consultation papers and at other times during our review of water charging in 1997 to 1998, during the passage of the Water Industry Act 1999 and during and since the introduction of regulations and guidance under the Act.