§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money was raised in the last financial year in Northern Ireland through water meters. [120622]
§ Mr. Spellar£32.8 million.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated cost is of installing water meters into each residential home in Northern Ireland; and how long it would take. [120623]
§ Mr. SpellarIt is estimated that it would cost in the region of £120 million, and take at least some five to 10 years, to install water meters in all domestic properties in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) residential properties and (b) commercial properties have water meters installed in Northern Ireland. [120624]
§ Mr. SpellarThe information requested is as follows.
(a) Residential properties
Water meters are not installed in properties in Northern Ireland, which are used exclusively for domestic purposes. However around 32,000 properties, which have a mixture of domestic and business use, are metered.
(b) Commercial properties
Around 72,000T properties are metered in Northern Ireland. Almost 7,300 of these would be classified as commercial. The remainder are mainly agricultural, industrial, and public sector.