§ Jane GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the avenues open to members of the public, whose accommodation has no rateable value and who therefore cannot have a water meter installed, when they cannot reach agreement with a water company on the level of their bill. [117314]
§ Mr. MullinAny customer may have a water meter fitted for their home free from 1 April, unless this is impracticable or excessively costly, in which case the company should offer another alternative basis of charging. The answer that I gave to my hon. Friend's question on 3 April 2000,Official Report, column 322W, sets out the avenues open to customers who do not want to have a meter fitted but are not happy with the company's proposals for setting their water charges.