ILKLEY'S MP Ann Cryer has slammed Yorkshire Water bosses for awarding themselves large bonuses again.

She has called the decision 'appalling' which is a sentiment many of us will probably share.

The news comes just weeks after revelations that water bills in the region have increased by 30 per cent and customer complaints have risen 12 per cent.

Critics have said that the Yorkshire Water bosses have simply been rewarded for turning up to for work.

Obviously it was bound to happen once the public utilities, which are in effect massive monopolies, were privatised.

It's not as if we can go elsewhere for our water because we are unhappy about the rate of leaks and the massive salaries earned by directors.

It even makes the dreadful summer weather feel worse than it is because you know that every time the heavens open, Yorkshire Water bosses will be sitting in their plush boardrooms rubbing their hands with glee.

All Joe Public can do in such a situation is moan and feel angry. MPs like Ann Cryer may like to join us but surely there must be something else she can do.

Obviously a wholesale re-nationalisation of the water industry is out of the question.

However, it is possible for the Government's water regulator to introduce stricter controls on leaks, windfall profits, prices, directors' bonuses and the like.

If the legislation does not already exist for stringent controls it can be created by a Government with such a massive majority.

But has the Government any plans to prevent the ownership of a public utility being used as nothing more than a licence to print money?

If all Mrs Cryer can do about Yorkshire Water bosses is moan like the rest of us, the situation will remain as it is.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.