§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the cost of extending rate rebates to cover water and sewerage charges.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether householders whose homes are not connected to mains water or sewerage will not be charged for such facilities next year; what progress is being made by water authorities in identifying those homes not connected to mains water or sewerage; and if he will give an estimate of when this identification programme will be finished.
§ Mr. Denis HowellOnly about 500 properties not supplied with piped water are at present charged for it. As regards sewerage, I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer on 3rd July to Questions by the hon. Members for Ripon (Dr. Hampson), Arundel (Mr. Marshall), Mix-Oxon (Mr. Hurd) and Harrogate (Mr. Banks). I do not think that it is practicable to forecast when every house affected will have been identified.