Thames Water Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Baroness Butler-Sloss
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Thames Water
Baroness Butler-Sloss Excerpts(1 month, 1 week ago)
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
That is an interesting point and it is being discussed. Thames Water is huge and has quite different catchment areas. I remember going on a boat to look at the successful tidal project in London that the noble Baroness talked about, in the early days. It was fantastic. However, you then have the much more rural, upstream part of Thames Water. It is very difficult. It is for whoever ends up owning it—what do they want to own? If you take away part of it, does it become less attractive? It is a complex issue but I know that it is being discussed.
Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)
Like many other people in this House, I am a Thames Water consumer, so I am particularly interested in this discussion. Will whoever takes over from Ofwat have the power to require Thames Water to invest?
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
As I said, we have the water Bill coming through. These issues are going to be put forward in a water Bill. They will be debated and discussed in a water Bill. We need to get it right. Thames Water has some particular and immediate problems, so it will be interesting to see where the company is by the time we reach the water Bill.