Written question asked by Clive Efford (Labour) on Thursday, 25 May 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 June 2000. It was answered by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 June 2000 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what percentage of domestic properties are (a) fitted with water meters and (b) pay by volume. - Inc figures and ref to the Director General of Water Services annual report "Tariff structure and charges", in Library.

Answer: Mr. Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of domestic properties are (a) fitted with water meters and (b) pay by volume. [124646] Mr. Mullin: The Director General of Water Services publishes an annual report on "Tariff structure and charges", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. This report gives details of the percentage of domestic properties who pay for water supplies according to volume. The figure for 2000-01 is estimated to be 19.6 per cent., based on forecast data provided by water companies. The equivalent figure for 1999-2000 was 17.1 per cent. In some instances a property may be fitted with a meter, but be charged on an unmetered basis. The Director General of Water Services collects only information relating to the number of meters that are installed and used as the basis for charging.

Secondary information