§ 22. Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to introduce domestic water meter trials in any areas of Northern Ireland prior to the Government's privatisation of water services.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Department of the Environment has since 1992 been installing meters in randomly selected domestic properties in Northern Ireland. This is a sampling exercise to obtain an assessment of the rate of domestic water consumption. The assessment will be used as a basis for estimating future domestic needs as part of an overall water resource strategy for Northern Ireland. There are no plans to introduce other domestic water meter trials.