The Parliament's Transport and Environment Committee has renewed its call for evidence relating to a major inquiry it is carrying out into water and water services.

Outlining details of the inquiry Convener Andy Kerr said:

"This inquiry offers the opportunity for a re-assessment of the water industry in Scotland. The call for evidence will ensure that all voices will be heard and views considered. We have a track record of conducting rigorous investigations and I and many others will look forward to our considerations."

Before agreeing its final remit the Committee is seeking views (by Friday, 15 September 2000) on what is required to achieve a water industry fit for the 21st century and beyond.

Respondents are asked to submit views on the following;

• What are the future challenges and priorities for the water industry? For example, what needs to be done to improve the quality of our water and to meet the requirements of EU Directives on environmental protection (namely the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive; Bathing Water Directive and the new Water Framework Directive.)
• Does the structure of the industry need to be changed to help it to meet these challenges? Are the water authorities equipped to deal with the broad spectrum of interests which the industry must address? What role is there for other public authorities or private companies in meeting these challenges?
• The Committee would be interested to receive international comparisons and, in addressing the general issues set out above, would also wish to hear views on the role of the Water Commissioner and the role of local authorities in collecting water charges.

Next Steps

Following receipt and consideration of written evidence the Committee will agree and publish the remit of its inquiry following the summer recess (this is likely to be in late September). The date of oral evidence sessions will be publicised in due course.

Scottish Executive consultation on Competition

The Scottish Executive publication 'Managing Change in the Water Industry' issued on 15 June 2000 seeks views on the impact of increased competition in the water industry. In recognition of the fact that there may be some areas of overlap between the issues on which the Committee wishes to receive evidence and the issues being addressed in this Executive consultation, the Committee would be very grateful to receive copies of responses to this consultation if respondents felt it appropriate.

Evidence should be submitted by email or on computer disk in word 97 with a single additional hard copy. Any submission of more than six A4 pages should be accompanied by a bullet point summary highlighting key issues. Witnesses without access to a computer are requested to submit evidence in hard copy to the Committee Office.

Committee email address:

transportandenvironment@scottish.parliament.uk

Committee postal address:

Clerk to the Transport and the Environment Committee,
The Scottish Parliament,
Room 2.7,
Committee Chambers
EDINBURGH, EH99 1SP.

BACKGROUND NOTES

The committee's membership is as follows: Andy Kerr (convener), Helen Eadie, Linda Fabiani, Robin Harper, Janis Hughes, Cathy Jamieson, Kenny MacAskill, Des McNulty, Nora Radcliffe, (Deputy Convener) Tavish Scott and Murray Tosh.