Clause 49 - Consumer complaints
Water Bill [Lords]
10:45 am
Mr Bill Wiggin (Leominster, Conservative)
The Minister has done all that he was supposed to do, but it is a shame because the amendments would have strengthened Water Voice and the consumer council, and improved the Bill. The amendments in my name would have gone further, and it is a shame that the principle has not properly been addressed.
At least the Minister is sympathetic to the views expressed today. As he said, the authority will not have the resources or manpower to support consumers as consumer bodies would want. We must acknowledge the difficulties that water companies face, because they are not a cheque book into which anybody can dip when they feel like it. We need a degree of proportionality that we do not yet have. I hope that the Minister will consider our discussions and, if possible, re-examine the issue. I will not press
for a vote as we may bring up the matter on Report. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 49 ordered to stand part of the Bill.