§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many requests there have been from domestic consumers to have their water metered in each of the past five years in Northern Ireland. [17976]
§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the water and sewerage in Northern Ireland, industrial and domestic, is paid for on a metered basis. [17978]
§ Mr. MossApproximately 17.5 per cent. of the annual expenditure on water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland is met from metered charges.
§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the principal water catchment ares in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) the rest of Ireland. [17974]
§ Mr. MossThe principle water catchment areas in Northern Ireland are:
- The Mourne mountains
- The Antrim plateau
- The Sperrin mountains
- Lough Neagh basin
- Lough Erne catchment
- Foyle valley
The last three of these straddle the border with the Republic of Ireland. I do not have information on the water catchment areas for the rest of Ireland.
§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many domestic properties in Northern Ireland are metered for the purpose of paying for water and sewerage; and what percentage this is of the total number of households; [17977]
(2) how many households have been disconnected for non-payment of water charges in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years. [17973]
1066W
§ Mr. MossThe water supplied to a property which is used solely for domestic purposes is not metered and is not subject to disconnection.
The water supplied to a property which has mixed domestic and other use may be metered and is subject to disconnection for non-payment of water charges.
The total number of disconnections for non-payment of water charges in Northern Ireland in each of the past five financial years is set out in the table. Information on disconnections of metered supplies with a domestic content could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
- 1989–90: 292
- 1990–91: 258
- 1991–92: 385
- 1992–93: 211
- 1993–94: 146
§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations the Minister has received from which individuals or groups in Northern Ireland to privatise the water and sewerage industry in the Province. [17975]
§ Mr. MossSince the Government announced their intention to privatise water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland in 1992 there have been a number of representations from elected representatives, district councils, voluntary bodies and private individuals about the Government's plans. None of these has expressed support for water privatisation.