§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make it his policy to place limits on charges in any new system of charging for water and allied services to replace the water rates in Wales in such a way as to take account of ability to pay;
(2) if he will make it his policy to take steps to ensure that any new system of charging for water and allied services to replace the water rates in Wales shall not involve: (a) a water poll tax or (b) compulsory metering.
§ Mr. GristInitial limits on charges are specified in the instruments of appointment of water and sewerage undertakers. Future regulation of charges will fall to the Director General of Water Services. In doing so the director general will be under a duty to ensure that the interests of customers are protected and that no undue preference or discrimination is shown by the scheme of charges which is principally a matter for Welsh Water plc to determine. Their future charging policy is outlined in their prospectus, a copy of which is in the Library.