§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will institute an experiment in a representative area of Wales similar to that carried out prior to April 1976 by the Fylde water board on behalf of the National Water Council, to assess the advantages and disadvantages of a per capita basis for calculating water charges.
§ Mr. Alec Jones:The Fylde experiment showed that there was a poor correlation between water consumption and the number of people in a household. There would also be practical difficulties and greater expense in charging on a per capita basis. I therefore see no useful purpose in further research into this method of assessing charges.
§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the proposed increases in water metering charges by the Welsh Water Authority have been approved by the Price Commission.
§ Mr. Alec Jones:Not yet, but they will be subject to scrutiny by the Price Commission.
§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will take 766W action to prevent the proposed increases in water metering charges by the Welsh Water Authority, inasmuch as they far exceed the limits set by the Government guidelines on anti-inflation increases.
§ Mr. Alec Jones:The proposed new method of charging, which is still subject to approval by the authority, seeks, by abolishing the present minimum charge based on rateable value and introducing a standing charge based on the size of meter, to produce greater equity between consumers. Any price increases involved must be submitted to the Price Commission.