§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secreary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the calculation of the water and sewerage rate based on the new rateable value.
§ Mr. HowardIt is for each water and sewerage undertaker to determine the methods and principles on which its charges will be based subject to the conditions of its appointment and the prohibition, in section 80 of the Water Act 1989, on basing charges on rateable values after 31 March 2000. Those undertakers who decide for the time being to charge their unmetered customers on the basis of rateable values will be able to use the 1973 valuation list or, as an alternative for non-domestic customers only, any valuation list created under the Local Government Finance Act 1988. Those undertakers who use a valuation list under the 1988 Act will have to adjust their poundage charges to non-domestic customers to take into account the change in rateable values.