asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will unify the charges for sewage disposal, whether from cesspools or by way of the sewerage system, in order to achieve a greater measure of equity for ratepayers.

The question of cesspools and septic tanks was raised in the Government's consultative document on the review of the water industry. I am considering the comments received on this and the other topics raised in that document and intend to publish a White Paper in the New Year.