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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's proposals to transfer ownership of private sewers and lateral drains from property owners to local water companies. [224858] Mr. Morley: The Government published a response to their consultation--Review of Existing Private Sewers and Drains in England and Wales--in October 2004. 81 per cent. of respondents favoured a change of ownership, and of these, 90 per cent. held the view that sewerage undertakers should take over responsibility. The Government acknowledged the strength of support for this solution and undertook to look into it in more depth. My Department also recently held a seminar with stakeholders to look at sustainable options for a potential transfer. Further information on the seminar is available on the Department's website at: http://defraweb/environment/water/industrv/sewers/existing/ index.htm The Government intend to publish a decision paper this summer, but do not rule out the need to consult further on the scope and form of a potential transfer.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

432 c1672W;432 c1667-8W; 224858

Session

2004-05

Related items

Sewers and Drains
Tuesday, 11 October 2005
Written questions
House of Commons

Subjects

Private sector Ownership Property transfer Water companies Sewers

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk