Water Bill Committee announce evidence programme
2 December 2013 (updated on 2 December 2013)
The House of Commons Public Bill Committee considering the Government's Water Bill will hear oral evidence on Tuesday 3 December 2013.
The Committee will then consider the Bill every Thursday and Tuesday from that point, concluding on 17 December.
The provisional programme of witnesses for the Water Bill Committee has been agreed by its Programming Sub-Committee.
The meetings are open to the public.
Programme and witnesses
Tuesday 3 December - morning
Taking place in the Boothroyd Room in Portcullis House:
From c 8.55am until no later than 10.15am:
- Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat)
- Water Industry Commission for Scotland
- Water UK and Business Stream
c10.15am until no later than 11.25am:
- Consumer Council for Water
- Dr Peter Kenway, Director, New Policy Institute and co-author of The Water Industry: a case to answer
Tuesday 3 December - afternoon
Taking place in the Boothroyd Room in Portcullis House:
c 2pm until no later than 3.15pm:
- Association of British Insurers
- National Flood Forum
- British Insurance Brokers’ Association
- Council of Mortgage Lenders
c 3.15pm until no later than 3.35pm:
- Environment Agency
c 3.35pm until no later than 4.05pm:
- Blueprint for Water Coalition
- Chartered Institution of Water
- Environmental Management
c 4.05pm until no later than 4.50pm:
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Line by line scrutiny of the Bill
Line by line scrutiny of the Bill will take place in Committee Room 10, Palace of Westminster, on the following days:
- Thursday 5 December 2013 - 1pm
- Tuesday 10 December 2013 - 8.55am and 1.30pm
- Thursday 12 December 2013 - 11.30am and 2pm
- Tuesday 17 December 2013 - 8.55am and 2pm
The Committee must complete consideration of the Bill no later than 5pm on Tuesday 17 December.
These sessions will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis. There is no system for the prior reservation of seats in Committee Rooms.
It is advisable to allow about 20 minutes to pass through security checks. Timings and room numbers are subject to change.
Aims of the Water Bill
The Water Bill aims to deliver more resilient water supplies and lead to cheaper and more efficient management of water resources in the longer term. The provisions include:
- extending competition by enabling all non-household customers to choose their water and sewerage supplier and enabling more companies to provide water and sewerage services;
- a new flood insurance scheme for domestic properties; and
- a new duty for the regulator to focus on the long-term resilience of water supplies.
Follow the progress of the Water Bill
The Water Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 27 June 2013. The second reading of the Bill took place on 25 November 2013, giving MPs the opportunity to debate the main principles of the Bill.
Have your say on the Water Bill
Although the Committee will start hearing oral evidence on Tuesday 3 December, the Committee is still able to receive written evidence from those with relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Government’s Water Bill.
Further Information
The Scrutiny Unit can help with any queries about oral evidence.
- Scrutiny Unit
- About Parliament: General Committees
- Visiting Parliament: Watch Committees
- Visiting Parliament: Map
This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.