§ Mr. Freemanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he intends to publish the Watts report on water metering;
(2) if he will introduce legislation to permit water authorities to enter into trials of universal metering provided that the trials are financed by the contracting company, repayable by the authority over not less than 10 years.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to introduce legislation to establish compulsory water metering.
§ Mr. John PattenThe report of the joint study group under the chairmanship of Mr. R Watts, chairman of the Thames Water Authority, is being published today by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. I have placed copies in the Library.
The Government welcome the report. It presents a new view of the economic aspects of domestic water metering. Unlike earlier studies, it concludes that in some circumstances charging households by means of water metering may be cost effective.
This radically alters the options: and justifies undertaking the extensive trials which the report calls for.
We shall legislate at the earliest suitable opportunity to make progress possible. But before responding to all the recommendations in detail I intend to seek the views of water consumers and others who may be affected. I shall work out with the industry a programme of follow up action.