§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met leaders of the water industry; and what matters were discussed. [97902]
§ Mr. MullinMinisters of my Department meet water company representatives from time to time and discuss matters of mutual interest. Water UK, the industry association, has requested a meeting with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, which is being arranged.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of current levels of investment in the water industry. [97903]
§ Mr. MullinThe Director General of Water Services publishes an annual "Report on the financial performance and capital investment of the water companies in England and Wales", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of Ofwat's efforts to ensure that water companies are able to finance the proper execution of their functions. [97947]
§ Mr. MullinThis is a matter for the Director General of Water Services.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that the funding criteria applied to water companies will ensure satisfactory levels of future investment. [97948]
609W
§ Mr. MullinThe Director General of Water Services has a statutory duty to secure that companies are able to finance the proper carrying out of their functions. The Secretary of State has issued guidance to the Director General on the environmental and quality objectives to be achieved by the water industry between 2000 and 2005.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact upon employment levels of planned future reductions in the price of water. [97949]
§ Mr. MullinI refer the hon. Member to my answer on 27 October 1999,Official Report, columns 871-72, to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mrs. Gilroy).
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of water price reductions upon the provision of subsidised bill payment facilities. [98012]
§ Mr. MullinThe determination of price limits for water companies is a matter for the Director General of Water Services. The Government believe that it is possible to deliver an ambitious environmental programme and offer reductions in customers' bills.
Under the Water Industry Act 1999, the Director General will become responsible for approving companies' charging arrangements, set out in their charges schemes; and the Secretary of State may provide guidance. The Secretary of State has published draft guidance to the Director General on the exercise of this responsibility, which proposes that water companies should offer a range of payment options at no extra cost to the customers who use them.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of proposed reductions in charges for water on(a) water company operations, (b) sewage treatment activities and (c) water company investment. [98140]
§ Mr. MullinThis is a matter for the Director General of Water Services, who has a statutory duty to ensure that companies are able to finance the proper carrying out of their functions.