§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to make an announcement about the future of the water and sewerage services in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangI have not yet decided on the future structure of these services. The consultation paper on local government reform last year indicated that water and sewerage services might best be handled by bodies separate from the proposed new unitary authorities.
The Government have set high standards for the quality of water supply and the reduction of water pollution. To achieve these, very substantial sums will have to be invested to improve the water and sewerage infrastructure.
I have now decided to appoint consultants to advise me on alternative forms of organisation for water and sewerage services in Scotland, including ways in which the private sector might contribute enterprise and investment to this vital public service.
The consultancy will help to assess these issues.
I shall ask the consultants to report quickly. I then intend to consult on proposals for the future of these services in the autumn in parallel with consultations on the reform of local government.