§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on the method of basing water charges on the rateable value of properties.
§ Mr. MacleanFollowing the publication of my right hon. Friend's paper, "Using Water Wisely", we have received numerous representations about the possible bases for calculating water charges, including on the use of property values.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations his Department has carried out into the possible methods of charging for water and sewerage services.
§ Mr. MacleanMy Department has co-funded with the water industry 11 of the national water metering trials.542W Following widespread consultation, the Director General of Water Services has issued guidance to water companies about the development of their charging strategies. It is now for each water company to decide on its preferred method of charging in the light of the circumstances in its area, subject to legal limitations such as the obligation to avoid discriminatory charges and the prohibition on using rateable values after the year 2000.