§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if any assistance will be given to domestic consumers when separate charges for domestic sewerage are introduced in 1996–97. [29411]
§ Mr. KynochAt present, local authority expenditure on domestic sewerage is one of the items which make up a householder's council tax bill. It is not easy for householders to work out how much they pay towards the service. That is why we are publishing a leaflet about water and sewerage costs in 1995–96, following the leaflet sent out last year. The leaflet will be distributed to all householders during the next few weeks.
682WThe cost to households for domestic sewerage will be clearer from 1 April 1996, when there will be a separate charge set by the new water and sewerage authority that delivers the service. Only those connected to the public sewerage system will be liable to pay.
As stated during the passage of the Local Government Etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, we intend to see that the change in the financing of domestic sewerage will not of itself produce any increase in the aggregate of council tax and water services bill between 1995–96 and 1996–97. Accordingly, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make regulations under section 81 of the 1994 Act to reduce charges for domestic sewerage set by the three new public water and sewerage authorities in 1996–97. This transitional relief scheme will be financed by an adjustment to the level of aggregate external finance funding of local authority expenditure. The amount of help we will give will be shown on individual consumers' bills. The full charge will be phased in over a period of time.