Thames Water: Bids Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lord Dubs
Main Page: Lord Dubs (Labour - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Dubs's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(1 day, 23 hours ago)
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
Clearly, as I have mentioned, this is a private company and it is the company’s decision around this, so the Government cannot comment too much on what is happening. But in order to resolve the situation we have come into regarding sewage spills and the quality of our lakes and rivers, we need to ensure sufficient investment. I would very much hope that any company coming into our water industry would come with the intention to make that investment. After all, the price increases we have allowed water companies to make to their bills through the PR24 is on the understanding that that investment will take place.
Lord Dubs (Lab)
How many of the countries in western Europe and how many of the states in north America have privately owned water, and how many have water in the public sector? Is there not a conclusion to be drawn from what the Minister will now tell us?
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
There are a number that are government owned and a number that are privately owned. When you look at the quality of water, you see that it does not matter whether they are privately owned or owned by a Government; it is how it is managed that makes the big difference.