§ Mr. Kershawasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he is aware that commercial consumers of water are required to pay commercial rates for water used from a tap for washing hands in a factory; if he will seek to amend the law so as to do away with this anomaly; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) when the consultations with interested organisations about the circular to water undertakers, referred to in his Answer of 28th October, 1965, will be undertaken; when they will be completed; what legislation he will propose in this matter; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacCollAs I explained in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) on 28th June, 1966, the consultations were deferred because of the risk that general introduction of the changes recommended by the Sub-Committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee would in some areas place an undue burden upon householders. A reduction in the charges made to some commercial consumers for water used for domestic purposes, such as hand-washing, is one of the changes which would be likely to increase the water rates of house-326W holders in some areas and my right hon. Friend does not think that its general introduction could be justified at the present time of restraint on prices.—[Vol. 730, c. 213–4.]