To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13418 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 20 March 2001, what the results were of the consultation exercises and, in particular, whether a majority of respondents, in each case and overall, favoured or opposed the withdrawal of water rates relief.

In June 2000, the water authorities consulted those customers benefiting from the full level of relief on water and sewerage charges in relation to their plans to withdraw those reliefs. Those customers who do not benefit from reliefs were not consulted. 11,173 letters were issued. 7,938 (71%) of those contacted did not respond. Of those who did respond, 1,682 (15% of the total contacted) believed that relief should be granted to all those in the group whose relief is to be phased out with effect from 1 April 2001, and 1,166 (10% of the total contacted) believed that relief should be granted to some members of the group. The remaining 387 either believed that none of the group should receive reliefs, or did not respond to the question.