§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Water Price Review 2004. [131071]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Director General of Water Services (Ofwat) is responsible for setting water price limits.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made a statement to the House on 21 January 2003, Official Report, column 5WS, this year when publishing her Initial Guidance on the periodic review to the Director General. A joint statement, explaining what the review is, setting out how and when decisions will be taken, and inviting views, was issued in August by Government and the environmental and quality regulators and Defra was a signatory.
The Secretary of State's Principal Guidance to the Director General will be published in early 2004 and she will make a further Ministerial Statement to the House at that time.