§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what circumstances churches are classed as business users for water rates; and, if he has any plan to reclassify charitable bodies, including churches.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 23 January 1995]: All occupiers of premises connected to the public water supply may be liable to pay water charges. Churches are liable to pay either the non-domestic water rate, at the reduced levy applicable to such premises, or metered water charges.
We have no plans to change this prior to restructuring of Scotland's water and sewerage services. At that point, 163W it will be for the new water and sewerage authorities to determine future methods of charging for their services.