As the author is not present, Question No 55 lapses.

Question No 56 by Robin Teverson (H-0434/94)

Subject: Abuse of monopoly power by water companies

The privatization of the water industry in the United Kingdom has resulted in regional companies having a monopoly over the provision of water to domestic, industrial and commercial consumers of water, including all multi-national European companies operating within the UK.

A number of these water companies are part-owned by water companies based in other Member States.

The official regulator within the UK, OFWAT, is seen by independent observers to have been largely ineffective in controlling the dominance of these companies in this sector. A recent report by the National Consumer Council points out the excessive growth of profits, top management salaries and dividend payments at a time when other industries are suffering from economic recession.

Consumers in the South West of the United Kingdom have been particularly affected.

How does the Commission intend to defend the interests of all consumers of water, regardless of nationality, and will it initiate an investigation concerning the abuse of the market dominance of these companies under its powers set out in Articles 88 and 89 in the Treaty of Rome?