§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the average equated rate poundage for sewerage services for the areas covered by(a) Wales Water, (b) Severn Trent, (c) North West England and (d) Thames for 1992–93 and 1993–94 and the estimated figure for 1994–95;
(2) what was the average equated rate poundage for supply of water for the areas covered by (a) Wales Water, (b) Severn Trent,>(c) North West England and (d) Thames for 1992–93 and 1993–94 and the estimated figure for 1994–95.
§ Mr. AtkinsInformation on water and sewerage companies' tariffs and average charges is published annually in the Centre for the Study of Regulated Industries statistics series publication "The United Kingdom Water Industry—Charges for Water Services", copies of which are available in the Library.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with Severn Trent Water regarding water disconnections.
§ Mr. AtkinsNone. However, my right hon. Friend met the chairman of Severn Trent Water on 11 January, to discuss a range of topics relating to water charging issues.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what monitoring he is conducting of the number of people who have had water supplies disconnected in the Coventry area; how many households in Coventry have had their water disconnected in 1991–92 and 1992–93; and to what socio-economic categories those people belong.
§ Mr. AtkinsNone. Responsibility for the protection of customers interests rests with the Director General of Water Services who publishes data on the total number of domestic disconnections twice a year, by water company area. Information on disconnections according to socio-economic categories is not available.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for assisting consumers to avoid water disconnections.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Director General of Water Services issued guidelines to water companies in April 1992 on the subject of debt and disconnection, with the aim of ensuring fair and effective procedures to minimise the prospect of disconnection.