§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the hardship for elderly and low-income families resulting from the present system of charging water rates, he will investigate the possibility of these rates being charged in relation to water used or to the number of persons in a household.
§ Mr. Giles ShawBoth the National Water Council and the Monopolies and Mergers Commission have been reviewing the methods of charging for water services. We must wait until advice is received from both sources before reaching a decision. The preliminary view of the National Water Council was, however, that optional metering is the only real alternative to the present rateable value system, and many regional water authorities, including Anglia, are offering this facility to domestic as well as commercial users. For those consumers receiving supplementary benefits the cost of water services charges is, of course, taken into account when calculating the benefit payable.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the many initiatives taken by the Southend borough council and of the desirability of reforming the system of levying water rates, he would be 332W willing to discuss with the council the implementing of a new system of charging water rates on a pilot or experimental basis within the borough of Southend.
§ Mr. Giles ShawWe are prepared to consider all positive and practicable suggestions. I would point out, however, that at the end of last year the National Water Council conducted a consultation exercise based on its document "Charging households for water". I understand that the Southend borough council did not respond direct to this initiative, although it may have made a contribution to the collective response made by the Association of District Councils.