§ Mr. Ernie RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will grant relief to domestic customers in respect of sewerage charges in 1998–99. [13374]
§ Mr. DewarYes. I have set aside £29.7 million for this purpose. This sum represents a saving to average band D households of between £17 and £20 in 1998–99. The sum is in line with the previous Government's expenditure plans. This relief, first introduced in 1996, is a transitional arrangement which is to be phased out by April 1999. We shall pay grant to water authorities to compensate for the charge income they will forgo in 1998–99. Of this some £9.0 million will be available to the East Authority, £7.4 million to the North Authority and £13.2 million to the West Authority. The necessary order will be laid before Parliament shortly.