Water Price Rises And The Regulator

EDM number 890 in 1993-94, proposed by Nigel Griffiths on 17/03/1994.

That this House deplores the rise in water charges by three times the rate of inflation; notes that since water privatisation consumer charges have risen by up to 90 per cent.; understands that 48 water chiefs have received ú14 million in share options; believes that the regulator has failed to put consumer interests first, and has failed to reappoint Diana Scott, the Chairman of Yorkshire Customer Services Committee, who, unlike the regulator, has successfully put forward the views of consumers, even when they conflict with water company or Government policy; and calls on the Secretary of State to remove Ian Byatt from his position as Regulator of OFWAT, and establish an independent inquiry into the rise in water prices, profits, board room perks and the failure of water companies to give a fair deal to customers.

This motion has been signed by a total of 57 MPs.