HC Deb 05 July 1972 vol 840 c123W
8. Mr. Stainton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to introduce universal metering as the method of charging for water supplies in order to deal with water requirements which, according to the first statutory survey carried out by the East Suffolk and Norfolk River Authority, are forecast to increase by 124 per cent. between 1971 and 2001 compared with a projected population growth of 39 per cent. over the same period.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

The Government propose that after the reorganisation of water services the new water authorities should be able to introduce metering wherever they consider that the benefits will outweigh the costs.

74. Mr. Stainton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what extensive survey of water charging principles and methods has been undertaken and published since the report of the Sub-Committee on Water Charges published in 1963.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

None, but my Department intends to put in hand a study of these matters in the context of water reorganisation.