§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each of the separate water companies established since privatisation and for each(a) month and (b) year since the companies were privatised, (i) the total number of disconnections carried out by each company and (ii) the percentage of customers of each company this total represents.
§ Mr. GummerThe Director General of Water services publishes data on disconnections twice a year, by water company area, for both domestic and non-domestic customers. Information about the numbers of disconnections in the six months to 30 September 1994 showing, for domestic disconnections, the rate per 10,000 households billed, together with numbers of disconnections in each year since 1989–90, was published in an Ofwat news release on 15 November. Copies of this and earlier Ofwat news releases containing similar information are in the Library.
921W
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by what date he expects to reply to the letter concerning future options for water charging sent to him on 30 September 1994 by the Water Services Association and Water Companies Association; what plans he has for announcing the contents of his reply; if he will place a copy of his reply in the Libraries of both Houses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThe letter from the associations setting out their views on future methods of charging for water is still being considered. A reply will be sent in due course.