Member

Further, it is worth noting that performance in general, not just where poor performance has led to a prosecution, is already a criterion. My noble friend asked what financial assistance the Government would provide to a company under a SAR. I confirm that the Government would provide financial assistance to ensure the day-to-day operation of any water company under a SAR. However, we expect that many of these costs would be recouped through the sale of a water company at the end of the special administration, to minimise any cost to the taxpayer. I hope for these reasons that my noble friend will not move his amendment and I thank noble Lords for their contributions.