§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what assessment he has made of the leakage targets submitted to Ofwat by the water companies; [5920]
(2) what legislation governs the introduction of mandatory leakage targets for the water companies if the leakage targets submitted to Ofwat are judged insufficient. [5977]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Director General of Water Services has responsibility for assessing water companies' leakage targets. He has said that he will take a company's performance against its target into account when setting 145W price limits. Those companies which fail to meet the targets they have set for 1997–98 may also face enforcement action.
Section 38(2) of the Water Industry Act 1991 enables my right hon. Friend to prescribe such standards of performance in connection with the provision of supplies of water as, in his opinion, ought to be achieved in individual cases. However, he may act only on written application from the Director General of Water Services under section 39 of the 1991 Act.