§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of domestic premises are fitted with water meters in each of the English regional water companies. [37995]
§ Mr. ClappisonIn 1995–96 the proportion of metered water customers of the 10 water and sewerage companies is as follows:
Households Percentage1 Anglian 16.8 Dwr Cymru 2.8 North West 4.9 Northumbrian 0.6 Severn Trent 8.2 South West 9.1 Southern 11.8 Thames 5.4 Wessex 9.7 Yorkshire 6.0 1 Company estimates.
§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the policy of each of the English regional water companies on the use of water meters for domestic premises. [37996]
§ Mr. ClappisonCompanies are developing their policies on the metering of domestic premises in the light of their particular circumstances. Most companies meter new and substantially converted properties. All companies operate voluntary schemes, which provide meters for those customers who are prepared to pay for their installation.
§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's policy on using water meters as the basis for charging domestic customers for their water supply. [37994]
§ Mr. ClappisonIt is for water companies to decide the basis on which they charge customers. However, the Government believe that metering is, in the long term, the best basis for paying for water in many circumstances and it is consistent with the sustainable use of our water resources. It is also fair and equitable in that it relates charges directly to the amount of water used, and provides an incentive to customers to use water efficiently. For water companies, metering can form an important part of a cost-effective approach to reducing imbalances between supply and demand. The Government wish to encourage companies and customers to consider switching to meters, but we are not forcing them to do so.