Water Services (Hansard, 20 July 1994)

Mr. William O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what study his Department has made on the reform of charging for water services; which other organisations his Department has consulted relating to privatising the water services industry in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what preparations his Department is making to carry out preparatory work on the reform of charging for water services; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Tim Smith
Options for new charging arrangements for water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland are being examined and I intend to publish a policy document in advance of the introduction of new arrangements.
Discussions have taken place about water privatisation with elected representatives, district councils and representatives of interested groups. Water privatisation will require legislation and the proposal for a draft order will be published for consultation.

Mr. William O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress his Department has made towards the development of a private finance strategy and programme for the water services industry In Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Tim Smith
As I announced on 30 March 1994,Official Report, columns 836–37, consultants have been appointed to carry out a study into the scope for attracting private sector finance to the Department of the Environment's water and sewerage construction programme. The consultant's report will be available very soon and it will form the basis for deciding how the private finance initiative is to be taken forward.

Mr. William O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made with the Price Waterhouse study announced on 30 March into the scope for attracting private sector finance to the water and sewerage construction and improvement programme in Northern Ireland; if he intends to make the report public; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Tim Smith
The feasibility study commenced in April 1994 and a report is expected before the end of July338W 1994. The study was commissioned on a confidential basis because of commercial sensitivities of the issues involved. I have no plans to publish the report.

Mr. William O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent consecutively in each of the last three years on agency fees in preparation for the privatisation of the water services industry in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Tim Smith
The following sums have been paid in each of the last three years to consultants and other non-Government organisations for preparations related to the privatisation of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland:

£ million

1991–92 Nil

1992–93 1.8

1993–94 1.9

§ Mr. Barnes
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received concerning disconnections of domestic water supply.

§ Mr. Tim Smith
Representations have been received from 23 individuals and 21 groups arguing against water companies having the power to disconnect domestic supplies when water and sewerage services are privatized in Northern Ireland. These concerns will be taken into consideration in determining new charging arrangements for water and sewerage services.