§ 26. Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will arrange to meet the chairman of Welsh Water plc to discuss the basis of water charging in Wales after the introduction of a new house value system for the purposes of the proposed council tax; and if he will consider in that context the need for changes in legislation to enable the water company to make rebates to single person households or those on low incomes.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettNo. Under section 142 of the Water Industry Act 1991 it is for the water undertaker to determine how charges are calculated. Water charges pay for the provision of a service. It is for the social security system to provide allowances for general living expenses to those in need.