§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will require the fitting of water meters to be carried out free of charge to householders, where the decision to fit has been taken by a water supplier; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryCharging for water services is a matter for each water company and like any other business they must cover their costs. Where water companies require water meters to be installed in new properties as a condition of supply, the cost of installation is borne by the developer. Water companies that opt for widespread matering of existing domestic properties will meet the initial costs of installation. They will be able to recover these costs through charges to customers as a whole by applying to the Director General of Water Services for an interim adjustment of their limit on charges increases. The director general will ensure that charges are fair and reasonable and do not show undue preference to, or undue discrimination against, any class of customer. Compulsory metering will be one of the issues dealt with in a consultation paper on methods of charging for water services that the director general will be issuing later this year.