Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 20 February 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 23 February 2007. It was answered by David Cairns (Labour) on Monday, 26 February 2007 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Water: Meters

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many homeowners in Northern Ireland he estimates will have requested water meters to be installed by the end of April.

Answer: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan, dated 26 February 2007:"You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about how many homeowners in Northern Ireland he estimates will have requested water meters to be installed by the end of April (122690). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.""In order to manage the installation of water meters, Water Service is targeting certain consumer groups first. From 1 April 2007, metering will be available to pensioner households who apply. Meters will also be installed in all properties connected to the water mains on or after 1 April 2007. The policy will be subject to a review within two years with a view to extending the domestic metering option to further groups from 2009-10. For initial planning purposes, Water Service has estimated that around 24,000 pensioners may apply for a meter within the first year of the introduction of domestic charging. It is anticipated that the majority of these requests will be received by the end of April 2007."

Secondary information