Written question asked by Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 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 steps the Government is taking in accordance with the Water Act 1999 to ensure that metered customers of water companies have the choice of remaining on a metered bill or changing to a rateable value bill; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking in accordance with the Water Act 1999 to ensure that metered customers of water companies have the choice of remaining on a metered bill or changing to a rateable value bill; and if she will make a statement. [198268] Mr. Morley: The Water Industry Act 1999 provides that household customers charged for their water on an unmeasured basis have the right to continue to pay on that basis in their current home. They also have the right to change to a measured basis free of charge and have the corresponding right to revert to an unmeasured charge within the first year. It is the responsibility of Ofwat to ensure that companies charge fairly and keep their customers well- informed of their rights and the choices open to them.

Secondary information