§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the percentage rate increase by each water authority in England and Wales comparing the years 1976 and 1977; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denis HowellPercentage increases, or decreases, in charges for domestic water supply and sewerage and environmental services for each of the water authorities in England and Wales for the year 1977–78 compared with 1976–77 were:
Water Authority Domestic water supply Sewerage and environmental services Combined increase or decrease North West 11.7 2.7 7.26 Northumbrian 29.9 7.3 11.8 Severn Trent 3.4 -4.4 -1.0 Yorkshire 17.9 -7.6 4.4 Anglian 18.5 -2.1 6.3 Thames 12.2 -0.8 5.7 Southern 16.0 19.0 17.7 Wessex 22.0 1.5 10.0 South West 15.6 2.0 8.1 Welsh 11.6 2.4 6.7 The national average increase in these combined charges was about 6.0 per cent.
§ Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has (a) nationally and (b) in respect of the Thames Water Authority to show in each of the past four financial years and in the current financial year what proportion of water rates is expended upon 214W interest upon loans for reservoirs, water mains, water works, pumping stations and other capital works all taken together.
§ Mr. Denis HowellInterest payments as a percentage of total water supply revenue expenditure are set out below. Figures for 1977–78 and 1978–79 are estimates based on the latest information available.
National Average Thames Water Authority 1974–75 30.1 18.6 1975–76 27.5 16.1 1976–77 26.3 14.7 1977–78 22.9 13.2 1978–79 22.2 13.4