asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has received representations for the repeal of the Water Charges Equalisation Act; and if he will make a statement;(2) if Her Majesty's Government have any plans to repeal the Water Charges Equalisation Act.

On 17 December 1979, when the House debated the draft Water Charges Equalisation Order 1979, I announced that the Government had it in mind that the Act should be repealed, but that before legislation was introduced officials would be asked to consider the whole question and to recommend what, if anything, might be done in the future. I expect to receive a report from officials soon.Since the debate I have received no written representations for the repeal of the enabling Act of 1977.