Schedule 4 - Licensing of water suppliers
Water Bill [Lords]
2:45 pm
Mr Elliot Morley (Minister of State (Environment and Agri-Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Scunthorpe, Labour)
I am sure that many large companies can provide their own sewerage infrastructure now; there is no restriction on that. I can confirm that if we wish to extend competition in the water industry to the domestic sector, primary legislation will be needed. The matter would therefore have to return to the House, so that there could be proper scrutiny and the House could have the opportunity to weigh up the pros and cons. The position that we have taken in the Bill is perfectly reasonable, and on that basis I hope that the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Wiggin) will withdraw the amendment.