§ Lord Kimballasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to include powers in the Water Bill to allow charges to be made recovering the cost of providing extra capacity to meet demands from newly connected properties.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)We have considered evidence about the operation of the existing arrangements and have concluded that a right to charge at the time new connections are made to water mains and public sewers will provide a clearer, fairer and more certain basis for ensuring that infrastructure is provided. The necessary amendments to the Water Bill are therefore being tabled. Conditions of appointment of the water and sewerage companies will place a ceiling on the level of charge that can be made, related to the investment costs of the companies.
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