HC Deb 23 July 1996 vol 282 cc317-8W
Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the water companies which maintain a policy of compulsory metering of properties built since 1989. [38462]

Mr. Clappison

[holding answer 22 July 1996]: Most water companies have a policy of metering new properties built since 31 March 1990, for which a rateable value is not available. Of these, Yorkshire Water meters new properties, but provides an alternative method of charging based on the company's assessment of "notional rateable value" and Sutton Water provides the alternative of a flat rate fee. Four companies do not meter properties built since 31 March 1990. Dwr Cymru, Hartlepool Water and Portsmouth Water charge a flat rate fee for the annual service; and York Waterworks levy a charge based on the floor area of the property.

Mrs. Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the water companies which offer(a) free and (b) subsidised meter installation.[38464]

Mr. Clappison

[holding answer 22 July 1996]: Where water companies have a programme of meter installation, the meters are installed free of charge. In addition, the following companies offer free installation where a customer requests a meter under their meter option schemes:

  • Anglian Water
  • Severn Trent Water
  • Wessex Water
  • Folkestone and Dover Water
  • Mid-Southern Water
  • South East Water
  • Sutton and East Surrey Water
  • Wrexham and East Denbighshire Water

The remaining water companies charge for installation under their meter option schemes. The level of the charge is a matter for each company.

Mrs. Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list water companies where all customers who live in properties built since 1989 have an option of paying metered bills or charges based on their property value. [38463]

Mr. Clappison

[holding answer 22 July 1996]: Yorkshire water fits meters to all new properties first occupied from 31 March 1990, but gives the first occupant the opportunity to choose payment by an unmeasured, notional rateable value charge, provided that the first occupant exercises that right within 12 months of the date of occupation.

Mrs. Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his oral statement on 9 July,Official Report, column 200, what proposals he has to ensure that those companies which continue to install compulsory meters in properties built since 1989 take steps to give their customers an option not to have a meter installed. [38487]

Mr. Clappison

[holding answer 22 July 1996]: It is for each water company to decide the most appropriate method of charging for water in its area. I have no powers to require a water company to provide a particular charging option.