§ Sir David KnoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the(a) average percentage increases in water and sewerage rates and (b) increases in the retail prices index used for upratings of income support, for each year since April 1988.
§ 3. Mr. AtkinsThe information requested is given in the tables:
(a) Increase in domestic water and sewerage average bills Year Water Per cent. Sewerage Per cent. 1988–89 to 1989–90 14.8 9.8 1989–90 to 1990–91 15.4 10.7 1990–91 to 1991–92 16.4 15.0 1991–92 to 1992–93 9.1 10.1 1992–93 to 1993–94 8.2 9.0 SourceCRI statistics series—"Charges For Water Services".
440W
(b) Increase in the Rossi index used to uprate income support Year Per cent. 1989 4.7 1990 5.2 1991 8.1 1992 7.0 1993 3.6 1994 3.5 Notes:
1.The Rossi index is based on the retail prices index, which takes account of the rise and fall in the price of individual commodities excluding most housing costs.
2. From the 1992 uprating the Rossi index was adjusted to include, water and sewerage charges, dwelling insurance, ground rent, repair and maintenance charges, do-it-yourself materials and for 1992–93 only, 20 per cent. of the community charge.
Source: Information supplied by the Central Statistical Office.
§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bristol, East (Ms Corston) of 6 December,Official Report, column 9, whether water companies will be permitted to use council tax banding to calculate water charges.
§ Mr. AtkinsSubject to the non-discrimination requirements in its licence conditions and copyright and data protection requirements, a water company may use any legally obtained information as a basis for the calculation of water charges save that after 31 March 2000 it may not use rateable values. However, we stand by the assurances we have given in the past that local authorities should not be permitted to sell council tax valuation lists for use for other purposes.