XN000022-1996-01-10 — Page 50

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Water-meter checking and water bills

Following is a question by the Hon Howard Young and a written reply by the Secretary for Works, Mr Kwong Hon-sang, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It has recently been reported that a public housing estate tenant has been billed for water consumption at a level which is hundreds of times higher than the previous consumption level. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

of the number of requests for water-meter checks made by consumers, as well as the respective numbers of cases resulting in adjustment of the charges after checking, in the past two years; and

what are the most common causes for adjusting charges after checking, and what avenues of appeal or review are available to consumers who consider that the consumption level shown on the water bills is out of line with their past pattern of actual consumption?

Reply:

Mr President,

(a) (i)

(ii)

the number of requests for water-meter checks made by consumers in recent years are listed below:

1993-94

3,809

1994-95

4,021

1995-96 up to 30.11.95

2.202

the number of cases where charges were adjusted after checking are as follows:

1993-94

1994-95

1995-96 up to 30.11.95

1,070

897

498

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