§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress being made with the reform of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland. [148674]
§ Mr. SpellarDetailed reform proposals are currently being developed, taking into account the substantial feedback received during last year's public consultation on water reform. The proposals will address the basis on which household water charges will be determined, the most effective public ownership model for water and sewerage services, and the most appropriate consumer representation and economic and consumer regulation arrangements. These proposals will be subject to a full range of impact assessments, including an equality impact assessment, which I plan to publish for consultation in the spring.
In tandem with this work, a vigorous reform programme is being developed within water service to deliver efficiencies of up to £45 million per annum by 2010. Implementation of an interim efficiency action plan will result in savings of over £11 million during 2004–05.
§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many responses he received to his Department's "The Reform of Water and Sewerage Services in Northern Ireland" consultation document; and how many of these responses were(a) in favour and (b) against the introduction of water charging. [148720]
§ Mr. SpellarA total of 784 written responses were received to the consultation document "The Reform of Water and Sewerage Services in Northern Ireland" published on 11 March 2003.
The consultation document invited comment on a range of options regarding the basis on which domestic charges should be set. As the consultation document did not seek views on whether water charges should be 997W introduced or not, it is not possible to identify the number of responses (a) in favour or (b) against the introduction of water charging.
However, approximately 14,500 expressions of general opposition to Water Reform were received by petition, postcard etc.