HC Deb 29 April 1996 vol 276 cc335-6W
Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the number of domestic customers in each water company area who have suffered interruptions of supply through the operation of pre-payment water devices in each of the last three years; and what percentage this represents of customers using pre-payment water devices in each case. [27026]

Mr. Clappison

[holding answer 26 april 1996]: This information is not held centrally.

Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the numbers of pre-payment water meters installed in each water company area; and if he will list which areas(a) provide for total disconnection from the water supply and (b) continue to allow a restricted quantity of water to be supplied in the event of prolonged non-payment. [26893]

Mr. Clappison

The Director General of Water Services is assembling information on the number of budget payment units in operation in each water company area. This information will be placed in the Library as soon as it is available. There is no disconnection of the water supply to the property as a result of the operation

Reservoir Storage, percentage of capacity
1 April 1996 1 October 1995 1 April 1995
North West
Northern Command Zone group 78 13 99
Vyrnwy 64 26 97
Northumbria
Teesdale group 77 31 99
Kielder 96 82 97
Severn Trent
Clywedog 86 43 97
Derwent Valley group 54 36 100
Yorkshire
Washburn group 70 24 98
Bradford Supply group 59 15 98

of a budget payment unit. The supply continues to be available and can be used as soon as the unit is recharged. The units do not permit a restricted supply of water in the event of a prolonged non-payment.

Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Enviornment in what circumstances in each water company area disconnection from water supply as a result of the operation of pre-payment water devices renders a water customer liable for less than the regular annual water and sewerage bill for his or her property. [26894]

Mr. Clappison

Customers operating a budget payment unit who pay their bill on a rateable value basis are not eligible for a discount to reflect occasions when the water supply is not taken because the customer has not recharged the unit. Customers who pay their bill on a measured basis and use a budget payment unit pay only for the amount of water consumed.