§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps will be taken after privatisation to stop the water supply undertakings from inflating their costs in order to inflate their profits.
§ Mr. HowardAfter privatisation inflated costs will reduce the companies' profits because their charges levels will be limited. In reviewing the charges limits the Director General of Water Services will be able to obtain all the information needed to assess the cost of operation of an efficient undertaking, and to set the limits accordingly.