Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Monday, 4 April 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 April 2005. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 7 April 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of whether average household water bills will increase to take account of the costs to water companies consequent on obtaining ownership of sewers and lateral drains.

Answer: Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of whether average household water bills will increase to take account of the costs to water companies consequent on obtaining ownership of sewers and lateral drains. [224861] Mr. Morley: The Department acknowledges the importance of cost implications for customers. Defra is working with Ofwat in order to further examine the potential impacts on customers bills, and some modelling work is currently under way. Funding of any possible transfer is an important issue that needs to be considered very carefully. Phasing or a gradual approach is among the approaches to implementation of options that might be considered in order to mitigate the impact of any increases.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1673W;432 c1668W; 224861
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Private sector Ownership Property transfer Water charges Water companies Sewers
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk