§ Virginia BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to introduce first time sewerage schemes in rural areas. [136279]
§ Mr. MorleySewerage undertakers have a statutory duty to provide, improve and extend their public sewer network. It is a matter for each sewerage company to decide on its programme of work in relation to this duty.
Companies have submitted their draft business plans for 2005–10 to the Office of Water Services (Ofwat). It was open to companies to include costed proposals to extend or improve their sewerage network, these could also include first time sewerage schemes. Ofwat will examine their plans, and decide the appropriate revenue requirement, having taken advice from other stakeholders, particularly the Environment Agency, for companies when it sets price limits in 2004.
Ofwat have published a summary of companies' proposals and the issues that arise from these plans. It will publish its draft determination in July 2004 for consultation before making its final decisions in November 2004.
§ Virginia BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from Hambledon and Wormley residents concerning recent statements by Southern Water on first time sewerage schemes. [136280]
12W
§ Mr. MorleyThe Department has received no recent representations from Hambledon and Wormley residents concerning recent statements by Southern Water on first time sewerage schemes.