HC Deb 24 March 1995 vol 257 cc398-9W
Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland from what date(a) the chairmen of the new water authorities in Scotland will be paid and (b) the offices for the new water authorities in Scotland will be available; and if he will make a statement. [15859]

Mr. Kynoch

The chairmen will be paid from the date of establishment of the new water authorities. In the meantime, they are being retained on a consultancy basis by the Scottish Office.

Temporary accommodation will be available to the new authorities within the Scottish Office in Edinburgh. It will be for the authorities, once established, to decide on their permanent locations and also on what use to make of local authority premises transferred to them on 1 April 1996.

Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money will be made available for expenses, incurred on water authority business, to be paid to members of the new Scottish water authorities in its first year of operation; and how much he estimates will actually be paid out. [15990]

Mr. Kynoch

Provision for the three new water authorities in Scotland in 1995–96 is shown in their respective grant in aid tables at chapter 4 of the Scottish Office departmental report, Cm 2814. No specific provision has been made for members" expenses, but the following amounts have been allocated for the salaries and expenses of the members and staff of the authorities.

Authority £
North of Scotland Water Authority 800,000
East of Scotland Water Authority 800,000
West of Scotland Water Authority 900,000

No estimate has been made of the actual expenses likely to be paid to members.

Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what possible performance bonuses will be made available to the chief executives of each of the new water authorities in Scotland in the first year of operation. [15901]

Mr. Kynoch

The terms of chief executive appointments have not been finalised. It is unlikely that the maximum bonus attainable in the first year will exceed 10 per cent. of basic salary.

Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members he will appoint to(a) the North of Scotland water authority, (b) the East of Scotland water authority and (c) the West of Scotland water authority. [15902]

Mr. Kynoch

Schedule 7 to the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 provides that each authority shall comprise between eight and 12 members, including the chairman and chief executive.

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