Profits And Prices In The Water Industry

EDM number 1484 in 1993-94, proposed by Helen Jackson on 11/07/1994.

That this House totally condemns the 67 per cent. increase in domestic water charges and the ú6.8 billion conglomerated profits made by the water companies since privatisation; congratulates the National Consumer Council and the Consumer Association for their in-depth exposure of the bias in the industry against the consumer; believes that water is the planet's most precious resource and should be managed for the public good, not private profit; is concerned that the total inability of the Government and the Water Regulator to control prices, profits, soaring dividends, and massive pay offs to individuals, has left their policy on water in a shambles; calls into question the credibility of the periodic price review of the industry, due to be announced by Ian Byatt on 28th July; recognises that water privatisation has not been operating in the public interest; and believes that there should be an urgent review of how to bring the industry into effective public control.

This motion has been signed by a total of 89 MPs.