§ Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the Oxfordshire Water Board's proposal to increase the water rate from Is. 6d. to 2s. 5d.
§ Mr. MacCollNo. 1967–68 is the first financial year of operation of the Board. Their proposed charges are not as much greater than those of the undertakers whom they succeed as the rate poundages referred to suggest. The only parts of their area where they propose a water rate of 2s. 5d. are those where, during 1966–67, consumers are paying part of the cost of their water through the general rate in addition to their water rate. The Board's expenditure is expected to be about 12½ per cent. more in 1967–68 than that of the previous undertakings in 1966–67; and nearly 7½ per cent. of the 1966–67 expenditure was charged to general rate funds. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the Board have made every effort to keep charges down.