HC Deb 13 June 1984 vol 61 cc497-8W
40. Mr. Temple-Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the average domestic annual water supply charges for the water authorities of England and Wales, together with the highest and lowest such charges, stating the authorities concerned, for the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Waldegrave

The following table gives details of the estimated average annual household water supply charges only for the financial year 1984–85.

Estimated annual household water supply charge
Water authority £
North West 31.70
Northumbrian 39.80
Severn-Trent (lowest) 31.40
Yorkshire 38.08
Anglian 37.93
Thames 36.46
Southern 35.60
Wessex 40.10
South West 42.70
Welsh (highest) 47.76
Average England and Wales 36.18

Note: The above figures do not include charges for sewerage and environmental services.

56. Mr. O'Brien

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what increase in water rates he estimates will occur in 1985–86 due to tighter borrowing restrictions.

Mr. Waldegrave

Increases in water service charges are mainly influenced by movements in revenue costs and general inflation, rather than by borrowing limits, which are fixed having regard to a number of factors, one of which is the level of investment in water services that the Government intends. It is too early to estimate what will be the increase in water services charges for 1985–86.