§ Mr. LathamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on problems relating to water infrastructure charges for developers since the meeting in July 1990 between the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Mr. Trippier), and representatives of the House Builders Federation, the hon. Member for Crosby (Mr. Thornton) and the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton; and when the Director General of Water Services will complete his inquiry into this issue.
§ Mr. BaldryFollowing the meeting to which my hon. Friend refers, the Minister for the Environment and 393W Countryside wrote to him in January. As explained in that letter, the operation and level of infrastructure charges are matters for the Director General of Water Services, who is reviewing the position of infrastructure charges in relation to charges generally, in the context of responses to his consultation paper "Paying for Water—A Time for Decisions". I understand that the director general is considering responses to his consultation paper at the moment.