Clause 96 - Provision of public sewers
Water Bill [Lords]
10:30 am
Mr David Drew (Stroud, Labour/Co-operative)
I shall be brief. I seek clarification. I do not want to pre-empt the debate on the new clauses. Some of us think that sewerage, notwithstanding my hon. Friend's commitment to bring forward changes in this area, is an important aspect of the Bill. This is a good time to deal with some of the issues. I hear what the hon. Member for Leominster says and I am sure that the Minister will respond about the appropriate way to look at not just who is involved in discussions but the degree of accountability.
My hon. Friend knows that I am a great proponent of alternative solutions to the normal approach of putting in a sewer, come what may. I would be keen to know what the process could and should be under the Bill if there is no agreement on the best way to dispose of the waste products. Clearly there is a presumption that putting in a sewer is the ideal solution. Increasingly people, including water companies, are concluding that that is not necessarily the best method. There are soft technology solutions, including reed beds, that should be considered. I should like an assurance that, if the office of the Secretary of State is not involved, the Environment Agency will be open minded to these other solutions and will talk to the water companies, the builders, the developers and the householders about what could be a better and, dare I say it, more affordable series of solutions.