§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give extra financial aid to the West Pennine Water Board in order to relieve it of the necessity of increasing water rates by an average of 45 per cent. from 1st April 1973.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe Board has fixed a water rate for 1973–74 of 5.6p in the £. The effect is that, in the aggregate, consumers who paid the water rate in 1972–73 will pay virtually the same amount in 1973–74. But the effect of general revaluation, and the expiry of 41W differential charging provisions which have operated for the five years since the Board assumed responsibility for water supply, will result in changes in the water rates required of individual consumers. Some will pay more, others will pay less. The 45 per cent. increase is one example among a number of specimen calculations which the Board has made, and is misleading if quoted in isolation: nearly three-fifths of the people supplied by the Board will enjoy reductions. I do not think that it would be practicable or justifiable to seek to prevent a redistribution of this kind, and my right hon. and learned Friend has no statutory power to pay grant for the purpose of alleviating its effects.