It is very difficult to place a value on the extensive network of above and below ground assets held by the water authorities. In his advice on charges, the Water Industry Commissioner gives an estimate that the replacement value of the water authorities assets could be up to £16 billion. Our projection of PFI capital investment by the end of 2002 is around £0.6 billion, by which time all currently planned projects will have been completed.

PFI projects in the water and sewerage sector are essential schemes needed to meet the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment (Scotland) Regulations 1994. This investment is therefore unavoidable and it is for the authorities to achieve a value for money solution. The water authorities in these cases consider PFI the most appropriate means of implementing these schemes, through a process of competitive tendering. These costs are a factor the Water Industry Commissioner will take into account in providing advice on future charges.

It has been the policy of successive governments not to compensate for losses due to disease or other natural phenomena in the marine environment. The Scottish Executive see no case to change that position.

The Scottish Executive is content that the policy which implements our obligations under Community law in respect of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) is compatible with fundamental rights. We await the outcome of the reference to the European Court of Justice, which will give an authoritative view on the question of compensation which is being sought by one of the fish farming companies directly affected by the disease.

No.

I have had three meetings with Alan Sutherland since his appointment as Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland on 1 November 1999. I expect to have further meetings with him from time to time, but no date has been set yet for our next meeting.

The level of, and proposed increase in, water and sewerage charges depend on the Council Tax banding of a household's property, and the water authority area within which the household is located. Water and sewerage charges are a relatively small element of household expenditure, and the overall effect on the cost of living is similarly small. Nevertheless the Executive is concerned about the impact of charges on low-income households. It is considering whether there is any scope to improve on the protection already provided by the link between charge levels and Council Tax bands.

The proposed increase would comprise, I understand, the second increase over a period of more than three years to reflect inflation and the economic costs of conducting marine surveys.The added costs to individual vessel owners arising out of the proposed increase would be negligible. There would seem to be no case for survey costs to the industry to be subsidised by the taxpayer. On that basis, the Scottish Executive does not intend to make representations to DETR regarding the proposals.

The Scottish Executive fully supports the aim of the multi-annual guidance programmes, which is to ensure sustainability of fishing by balancing fishing capacity against resource availability. That is in the long-term interests of our industry, as is the important principle of relative stability.The multi-annual programmes are Europe-wide initiatives and the Committee's report needs to be considered, along with other relevant issues, at that level. The Scottish Executive will continue to be fully involved in such discussions, including on any successor arrangements to the current multi-annual guidance programme.

I am not aware of any such plans.