§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, before or after the privatisation of the water industry, he proposes that householders will be expected to meet the cost of installing water meters in their houses either(a) directly or (b) indirectly through increased water charges; and whether those households installing meters in advance of privatisation will be exempted from any further cost associated with compulsory water metering of households.
§ Mr. Moynihan[holding answer 13 May 1988]: Under paragraph 6 of schedule 1 to the Public Utility Transfers and Water Charges Act 1988 a water undertaker which requires domestic customers to be charged by measure must bear the cost of installing meters in existing properties. The water undertaker recovers its costs from the generality of its customers. That applies to water authorities and water companies alike, and is not affected by privatisation.