§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends to take to prevent the increase in water rates forecast in Report 152 of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on pay and productivity in the water supply industry.
§ Mr. Graham PageWater undertakers are having to finance essential new capital works at considerable cost to meet increased consumption. In addition, there are increases from time to time in the prices of the power, materials and services which they use. Water undertakers were reminded recently in Circular 53/70 (Circular 63/70 in Wales) that, while rising costs may make increases in some charges unavoidable, every effort should be made to keep increases to the minimum consistent with maintaining a proper service. The stabilising of costs and overheads by increasing the productivity of the industry as a whole is to be commended.