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Water Bills (South-West)

My hon. Friend would agree that when South West Water was set up—this applies to many other such companies—a risk-free money extortion system was created for those receiving dividends as shareholders of the company. They could predict the dividends that they would accrue at the end of the year, and the comparison should be made with the poverty of the people who have to pay the bills. This situation will continue and will perennially be a problem unless a Government intervene and provide better regulation to give customers a better deal.