§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the powers which rest with the Director General of Water Services to determine the method of charging for water and sewerage services in England and Wales.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe method of charging water and sewerage services in England and Wales is a matter for the water and sewerage companies. The Director General1004W of Water Services has no powers to determine the method of charging, but he does have powers, in section 2 of the Water Industry Act 1991, to ensure—subject to his obligation to secure that the companies can properly finance the carrying out of their functions—that the interests of customers and potential customers are protected as regards the fixing and recovery of charges by the companies.