§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if legislation to resolve the difficulties experienced by persons whose homes depend upon cesspool drainage will be introduced during the next 12 months.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe Government remain firmly committed to the policy78W set out in the White Paper, "The Water Industry in England and Wales: the Next Steps", to transfer to regional water authorities responsibility for providing a sewage disposal service for properties without main drainage. For domestic properties only a proportion, probably 50 per cent. of the actual cost of this service would be levied. Legislation to implement the White Paper proposals, including those relating to cesspool emptying, will be introduced as soon as practicable.