It is simply not true, as John Hodgson suggests, that water meters would "hit the poor" (Letters, August 26).

Firstly, the average bill for metered customers is now, in each area of the UK bar one, below that for unmetered customers, suggesting metered water is cheaper.

Secondly, it is perfectly possible to construct a sliding scale of charges which makes initial or basic use of water quite cheap, while discouraging heavy use.

Thirdly, my proposal comes with alterations to the present, inadequate safeguards for people on low income or with particular medical needs to ensure the sort of problems he fears do not arise.

Fourthly, not introducing metering will require the water companies to invest more in expensive infrastructure, such as the desalination plant off the coast at Newhaven, thereby increasing prices for all, including the poor.

Fifthly, can we really go on charging for water based on the theoretical amount a householder could get by renting out their house in 1973, which is the basis of the present system?

Mr Hodgson, as a Labour party activist and former councillor, should also know metering is the preferred option of his Government.

It's just that they haven't got the guts to bite the bullet. I do agree with him, however, that John Prescott's housing plans for the South East are ill-thought through and will make the situation worse.

I will continue to campaign strongly against these plans.

Perhaps if Mr Hodgson is so bitterly opposed to both water meters and his own Government's house-building plans, he ought to ask himself if he is in the right party.

-Norman Baker MP, Lewes