§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total value of the water rates relief allowed to the various categories of properties entitled to it in the latest year for which figures are available. [61546]
§ Mr. MacdonaldThe exact information requested is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost. However, the water authorities estimate that the total value of reliefs given on water and sewerage charges in 1997–98 in Scotland was some £14 million.
§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide assistance to the water boards to enable them to change from a system of charges to commercial properties based on rateable value to one based on volume. [61548]
§ Mr. MacdonaldThe water authorities are responsible for developing appropriate charging arrangements. Each of the authorities has recently completed consulting its non-domestic customers about proposals to alter the basis of charges to reflect more closely the level of services actually used rather than using rateable values as a proxy for use. Following this exercise the water authorities concluded that there is overall support in favour of a change to the charging basis. Each is now discussing the222W detailed implementation of changes for their area with Scottish Water and Sewerage Customers Council. Domestic properties are unaffected by this proposal.
Overall, the new arrangements will not alter the total income raised from the non-domestic sector, though its distribution amongst customers will be affected. The water authorities propose to phase in the changeover to ensure that individual chargepayers have sufficient time to adjust to the new arrangements.
Given that there will be no reduction in income to the water authorities and that the impact on chargepayers will be phased in, there is no case for giving financial assistance to the water authorities.