§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions his Department has had with the Northumbrian water authority about its proposed increase in water charges; what conclusions were reached; and whether loan charges on the Kielder reservoir were discussed.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIn view of the economic pressures on both industrial and domestic users, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Environmental Services 407W has recently met the water authority chairman. The authority subsequently agreed to look again at its proposals for charges in 1981–82. The loan charges on the Kielder reservoir were not specifically discussed.