UNITED UTILITIES AND OFWAT

That this House notes the recent decision by OFWAT to fine United Utilities £8.5 million for breaching its licence when it artificially fixed internal prices between United Utilities and its subsidiary companies; believes that despite the enormous personal rewards senior water company management personnel have appointed to themselves, they are still prepared to breach their positions of trust; welcomes OFWAT's use of the powers given to it by the Government; and hopes that it will continue to use these powers where water companies operate against the interests of their tied customers by unfairly seeking to raise prices and profits.