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Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

My Lords, will the Minister explain a couple of points? I acknowledge that he is one of the most deeply concerned in this House about climate change and its impact on sustainability. Why, therefore, when he uses the words ““fair contribution”” with regard to pricing and to ensuring that pensioner households would be the first group to be offeredthe choice of a meter, is he tying the Assembly’s hands behind its back so that it will not be able to introduce meters generally in Northern Ireland? Thatwould solve the problems brought about by the sustainability argument à propos of climate change. It is such a backward step when we all know that in England, Wales and Scotland, if we were starting from scratch, we would make sure that every household had a meter. We now have a great opportunity to do so. At the same time it will look affordable and fair—the very words used were ““fair contribution””. However, how can the Minister square the fair contribution argument with the statement, "““all households will pay a direct charge for water and sewerage services received, consisting of a standing charge and a variable element based on the discrete capital value of each property””," And not based on whatever drop of water they consume? I am really concerned about this. The order has been brought forward by people who have a much shorter-term vision and strategy for the country as a whole than us here in the House of Lords. They are obviously worried about the next general election, but we can think about the elements the Minister is so concerned about: the impact of climate change, and sustainability. I do not want to put him on the spot, but why oh why are they not taking the opportunity to allow meters to be introduced generally?