§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the estimated average annual water bill per household(a) before water metering and (b) after water metering; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe average household unmeasured water supply bill in England and Wales in 1994–95 is £94 and for a metered water supply it is £97. The average household charge for combined water and sewerage services is £199 for both measured and unmeasured services.
Charges should not discriminate against metered customers. I am pleased that this year average measured household bills have fallen—by 1 per cent. for water and 3.8 per cent. for sewerage—ensuring a fairer balance in tariffs between measured and unmeasured customers.