To ask the Secretry of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the technical feasibility study of the privatisation of water and sewage services in Scotland.

[holding answer 26 April 1993]: A study of possible new structures for the water and sewerage services was commissioned from Quayle Munro Ltd. last summer. The study informed the consultation paper "Investing For Our Future", which made it clear that in the light of the advice available to them the Government were satisfied that privatisation and the other options outlined could be successfully achieved.