§ 45. Mr.Newtonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet devised a means of relieving households without main drainage of sewerage charges for the year 1974–75; and if he will make a statement.
§ 51. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ask local authorities to expedite the supply of information to water authorities about properties not connected to main drainage.
§ 54. Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a statement regarding relief for those paying sewerage charges who are not connected to main drainage.
§ Mr. Denis HowellNot yet. The unfortunate absence of any relief at this stage from these charges is of course the inevitable result of the inadequate time scale adopted by the previous administration for water reorganisation. My right hon. Friend expects, however, to discuss the matter with water authorities shortly. An important factor in resolving the problem will be the progress that can be made, in collaboration with the responsible local authorities, in identifying the properties concerned.
§ Mr. Tim Rentonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can now make a statement on action to help those who are paying sewerage charges on buildings that are not connected to main drainage.
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§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in arranging for the future that those householders who are not enjoying the facility of a sewage disposal system are not assessed for this in the rate demand notes.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThere are no adequate records of properties not provided with main drainage on which to base relief in appropriate cases, and preliminary inquiries by water authorities show that local authorities are likely to take some time in identifying such properties.