Clause 40 - Conditions relating to costs
Water Bill [Lords]
7:00 pm
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster, Conservative)
It is essential to consider amendment No. 104 as well because amendment No. 103 relates to it. We are talking about the minimum value requirement. Amendment No. 103 refers to subsection (2A). That is inserted by amendment No. 104, which is intended to ensure that the total payment required of any company
''shall not be increased by more than the amount by which that company is permitted to increase its regulated prices under its appointment.''
We are just trying to ensure that the penalties are in line with the price increases that the company is
entitled to make itself. The point is quite technical, but I hope that the Minister can throw some light on this probing amendment.
New clause 5 is intended to add to the regulatory methodology and orders the authority to
''prepare and publish a statement of policy with respect to its determination of charges in periodic reviews''.
There is a whole debate to be had on water pricing. The hour is late, so at this stage I shall just probe the Minister about my initial amendments. I might have to return to the matter later this evening, if need be.