§ 30. Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about water charges.
§ Mr. StewartWater charges have risen in recent years and will continue to do so to finance the new investment of some £5 billion needed for water and sewerage over the next 15 years or so. The new structure for Scottish water and sewerage services proposed in the Local Government etc (Scotland) Bill is designed to keep increases as low as possible. The three new public authorities will be expected to secure economies of scale and maximise operational efficiency.