WATER COMPANIES AND FLOODING

Early day motion 372, tabled 7 January 2004 by Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 52 members.

That this House is concerned about the rise in foul and surface water flooding resulting in long-term damage to property and the environment across the country; recognises that a prime cause is an ageing and failing national sewerage system suffering from long-term underinvestment and thus increasingly unable to meet modern drainage demands; is dismayed that while failing to make cost efficiency gains water companies have instead continued to under-invest in drainage infrastructure in order to maintain shareholders' dividends; is extremely concerned to find that in the Asset Management Planning Round 4 (2004-2009) these same water companies are seeking to justify a price increase of an average ú72 per household to make good their progressive failure to invest in the nation's drainage infrastructure; and calls upon the Government to take action through the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, DEFRA and Ministerial Guidance to OFWAT to ensure that water companies are obliged to make repair and upgrading of their sewerage systems a high priority and that the cost of this essential investment be borne fairly between customers and shareholders.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 29, Labour 18, Labour/Co-operative 2, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Independent Ulster Unionist 1.