§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the bodies with which he has consultations before making the announcement that the provisions of the Water Charges Equalisation Bill could not be implemented for the next financial year.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI made the announcement in the light of advice from the water authorities, who are of course in close contact with local authorities, that their financial and administrative procedures would not allow any equalisation levies or payments which might be directed after the earliest date at which the Bill can now be enacted to be reflected in charges for the coming financial year.