A small point: I happened to see part of the Commons Live

featuring your goodself and approx. 10 or 12 other members.

Earlier today the so called Defence Secretary was seen

presenting his green paper describing how he proposes to

defend this country and its interests. Once again it seems no

more than a handful of members were present.

Where on earth are the other 600 and odd members? Are

they all down the pub? Is this about par for the course?

Reply: Yes attendance is very poor for many debates at the moment. Labour find it almost impossible to get supporters in to the chamber.

Anyway, it's not just the cost of the water itself that is a rip-off, it's the standing charge that is constantly going up much faster than inflation. And then there is, of course, the scandal of double-charging. On one side these lovely utilities charge us for providing water, and on the other they charge us for taking it away in a sewerage charge. How do they know that I don't throw half my water onto the garden?

I've come to the conclusion that all large organisations – especially local councils and central government – couldn't give a fig for us as customers (although we are actually their paymasters as well). Large-scale capitalism as well as Nu-Socialism have lost the plot and become completely out of order. We need a country of small central government, small local government, and small companies. Where large multi-nationals are unavoidable, then they must be subjected to the most rigorous regulation.

As to the places where there is too much water, I despair at policy that continues to agree to more building on flood planes. I recall a government minister when challenged on this responded that London is built on a flood plane and to prohibit more building in London would be folly (or words to that effect). I supposes this is par for the course with this government: obscure mistakes by supporting more of the same.

can you really have genuine competition when it comes to utiliies ? two pipes to each house ? two resevoirs ?
etc

Thames Water is one we know that had – perhaps still has – an investment and diversification team seeking non-related business opportunities.
Retained profits should be used for creating increased reservoir capacity, eliminating leakage and researching the diversion of excess flood water into the supply system. Instead reservoirs have been sold off for speculative gain since privatisation.

Furthermore, as with all utility organisations the water suppliers should not be allowed to use 'green' issues to mask increases in consumer costs.

Water is such a precious resource that it must be the sole focus of those who have been granted the privilege of supplying it!

YES..increased competion IS the proper solution.

Another part of the agenda is to spend as little as possible on customer service and maximise the return to Group Global Head Office. My Water Authority is part of a multinational located on another continent – why should it worry about petty water problems in England thousands of miles away.

Be warned – under the present set up don't have a problem with your water or drainage. You will find yourself alone in an unequal struggle with big battalions. It came as quite a shock to me until I worked out what was going on.

Water Authorities need to feel the heat of proper regulation and to understand that customer service is just as important as telephone number salaries and bonuses at Head Office. Challenging levels of customer service is the price that should be paid by foreigners being allowed to print money through running UK water monopolies.

Thought the French owned some of them.

Just like we privatised the other Utilities, think the French own some of those too.

What do the French pay for their own water and power, anyone know.