§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the very high charges being implemented by the new water boards, and the lack of public confidence in their competence, if he will now revert to the old method of charging water rates; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe Water Act 1973 requires water authorities to be financially self-sufficient and they are responsible for setting their charges accordingly. The average increase in charges this year in England and Wales for domestic water supply is about 7½ per cent. and for sewerage and environmental services is about 5 per cent. The White Paper on the water industry (Cmnd 6876) reasserts the Government's acceptance of the principle of integrated river basin management as the basis for the regional organisation of the water industry.