§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on the implications for charging for water of the introduction of the council tax.
§ Mr. Baldry[holding answer 25 June 1991]: Among the numerous representations we receive about future methods of charging for water, some advocate basing domestic water charges on the valuation bands which will be used for the proposed new council tax. Each company is free to decide its future system of charging provided it does not give undue preference to, or unduly discriminate against, any class or group of customers. The Director General of Water Services is considering responses to his consultation paper on alternative future methods of charging and will, I understand, be issuing guidelines later this year based on the results of the consultation.