New water Authorities (Hansard, 27 October 1995)

§ Mr. Donohoe
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money so far has been paid to the members of the new water authorities in their capacities as members of the boards of these organisations. [39412]

§ Mr. Kynoch
[holding answer 26 October 1995]: Since the establishment of the three water authorities on 17 July 1995, 32 members, excluding chief executives, have received a total of £45,048.59 by way of remuneration and £5,833.82 in reimbursement of expenses incurred on water authority business.
The chief executives of the water authorities, who are also members, have since 17 July received a total of £25,851.29 by way of salary and £1,384.61 in expenses.
887W

§ Mr. Donohoe
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money the new water authorities have been granted by his Department to cover the cost of their operations during their shadow period. [39411]

§ Mr. Kynoch
[holding answer 26 October 1995]: A total of £9.7 million has been allocated for grant in aid to the new water authorities in 1995–96. This represents less than 2 per cent. of the estimated current expenditure on water and sewerage services this year. The allocations to the individual water authorities is shown in the respective grant in aid tables at chapter 4 of the Scottish Office departmental report—published as Cm 2814.

§ Mr. Donohoe
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money his Department spent in commissioning consultants Babtie Shaw to draft the proposed water asset transfer schemes for the existing regional and islands authorities in transferring their water assets to the new water authorities. [39413]

§ Mr. Kynoch
[holding answer 26 October 1995]: The Babtie Group was contracted to prepare a model framework and guidance notes to assist regional and islands authorities and the Central Scotland water development board in drawing up their asset transfer schemes. The cost of that contract was £108,815.98.
Babties has also been retained to examine and comment upon the asset transfer schemes submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. The value of that contract will be up to £337,750.