§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will urgently announce measures to protect Scottish businesses, especially small businesses and self-employed enterprises, from the effects of(a) increases of water charges and (b) difficulties in passenger and freight transit from Scotland to the continent.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe charging arrangements in Scotland for water supply require authorities to be even-handed in apportioning expenditure between classes of consumer and they have discretion to set different metered charges for different circumstances. There are no provisions for the Secretary of State to intervene in the setting of charges. The average metered water charge for 1990–91 is 30.89p. per cu m, an increase of less than 9 per cent. on last year.
The provision of passenger and freight services from Scotland to the continent is a matter for the commercial judgment of transport operators, which are best placed to evaluate transport needs. If these needs are not being met, Scottish businesses should identify the nature of the services they require and discuss their needs with the transport operators concerned.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he has given to the National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses of Scotland regarding their complaints against the increases of metered water charges and their effects on competitiveness.
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§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Secretary of State has received a letter relating to water charges and other matters from the Scottish secretary of the National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses Ltd. The points raised by the federation are being considered and a response will be made in due course.