Holyrood, made browsable

Hansard

Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

129
Current MSPs
415
MSPs ever elected
13
Parties on record
2,354,908
Hansard contributions
1999–2026
Coverage span
Official Report

Search Hansard contributions

Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.
The Convener: Lab Committee
12 Dec 2000
Water Inquiry
I apologise to our guests from the water industry for the late start to this item. As you will have discovered, due to unforeseen circumstances that have arisen in respect of a previous item of business, we have just had a fairly lengthy session with the Minister for Transport...
The Convener: Lab Committee
24 Jan 2001
Water Inquiry
East of Scotland Water launched an innovative project to use lower quality water for industrial purposes, because that water need not meet the standard that is required of drinking water.In your opening remarks, you discussed the water framework directive. We will revisit that...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Nov 2001
Petition
Agenda item 3 is a topical item, on petition PE399, by Dr D H S Reid, on the structure of the water industry in Scotland. The Public Petitions Committee agreed to pass the petition to the Transport and the Environment Committee with the recommendation that we take it into acco...
The Convener: Lab Committee
21 Nov 2001
Aquaculture Inquiry
Agenda item 4 is our aquaculture inquiry. This is the first evidence-taking session during our rolling inquiry into aquaculture and is the first of three sessions that are designed to focus on the regulatory framework for aquaculture.We have received correspondence from the De...
The Convener: Lab Committee
05 Sep 2001
Subordinate Legislation
Under agenda item 2 we have five negative instruments to consider, and lots of papers, which I am sure members have enjoyed reading in recent months.First, we have the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (SSI 2001/207) and the Water Supply (Water Quality) ...
The Convener: Lab Committee
31 Oct 2001
Water Industry (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Do the three authorities—the North of Scotland Water Authority, East of Scotland Water and West of Scotland Water—each take a different approach? I had correspondence with the chief executive of West of Scotland Water about its approach. It seemed to be largely inflexible and ...
Mr Kerr: Lab Chamber
26 Jun 2002
Budget Revision
David Davidson asked a number of questions and I hope to address them all. If I do not, I will correspond with him or I will respond when we are given another chance to discuss these matters.I will address his last point first. The money that is to be made available to local a...
Mr Kerr: Lab Chamber
26 Jun 2002
Budget Revision
With respect to Des McNulty's last point, I confirm that we are talking about empowering local authorities and about a level of trust. We are also talking about discussions that were held prior to the announcement being made about the potential that could be achieved by workin...
The Convener: Lab Committee
06 Dec 2000
Petitions
Thank you for your co-operation.The next petition for consideration is PE204, from Dundee Anti Poverty Forum, which calls on the Scottish Parliament to investigate ways in which the investment that is needed to upgrade the water service can be met and whether the burden on low...
The Minister for Finance and Public Services (Mr Andy Kerr): Lab Chamber
26 Jun 2002
Budget Revision
I am delighted to have the opportunity to set out how we are successfully managing our resources to ensure that every penny of the Scottish budget is used for maximum impact.We are already delivering record levels of investment across the public services in Scotland. Our inves...
Mr Kerr: Lab Chamber
26 Jun 2002
Budget Revision
That was a rather grudging response. We have grown used to such responses in the months and years in which the SNP has been in opposition. Instead of giving a statement of "self-congratulatory twaddle", as the member put it, I talked about the fact—which I am sure that every m...
Mr Kerr: Lab Chamber
24 Jun 2004
Efficient Government
First of all, I said that we are embarking today on a step change in our efforts. I say to my colleagues in the chamber—and in the media—that many of the things that the Executive does very well do not get reported. I have searched our database of press releases on efficient g...
The Convener: Lab Committee
05 Sep 2001
Sea Cage Fish Farming
I want to draw some conclusions from the various views that members have expressed. If members are not happy with those conclusions, I am sure that they will not be slow to speak up. I would like to reach a consensus on the issue. We all agree that this is a vital industrial m...
The Convener (Mr Andy Kerr): Lab Committee
31 Oct 2001
Water Industry (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I welcome everyone along to this meeting of the Transport and the Environment Committee. We are now on agenda item 2, which is our consideration of the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill. I extend a warm welcome to Ian Jones who, as members are aware, was our adviser on the recent...
The Convener: Lab Committee
17 Jan 2001
Water Inquiry
Agenda item 5 concerns the committee's continuing inquiry into water and the water industry. Members might be interested to note that we have formally appointed as our adviser to the inquiry Ian Jones, who is the chief executive of Quayle Munro Holdings plc. I will report in w...
The Convener: Lab Committee
24 Oct 2001
Water Industry (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I welcome the press and public to this meeting of the Transport and the Environment Committee. I have received no apologies. Bruce Crawford has intimated that he may join us at some point.We are beginning stage 1 consideration of the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill. Later in th...
The Convener: Lab Committee
31 Oct 2001
Water Industry (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We have a problem. There is a horse and a cart and their relationship is out of order. If we had a definition of a charity, we would know what charities are and we could consider the issue in relation to the water industry, but because we do not have that definition we must as...
The Convener: Lab Committee
09 Nov 2001
Water Industry (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I welcome back the press and public to this meeting of the Transport and the Environment Committee. This afternoon we will continue with stage 1 consideration of the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill.I welcome again Alan Sutherland, who is th...
The Convener: Lab Committee
12 Dec 2000
Water Inquiry
Thank you, Graeme and Trisha, for staying on with us. That was a most useful session.Colleagues, I am in your hands. Some people have left and some people are flagging. We still have a couple of important items to discuss, but I do not think that we can do them justice after t...
The Convener: Lab Committee
24 Jan 2001
Water Inquiry
The next item on the agenda is our water inquiry. I invite the water industry commissioner for Scotland, Alan Sutherland, and his colleagues to join us.Thank you for your submission, which has been circulated to committee members. As is our practice, I invite you to make any o...
The Convener: Lab Committee
31 Jan 2001
Water Inquiry
As no member is indicating that they wish to ask a question, I thank the witnesses for a most interesting session, which provided us with a good historical background to our inquiry. The water authorities will be present at future meetings of the committee and much of what the...
The Convener: Lab Committee
07 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
We come to the main item of business this morning, which is our continuing inquiry into water and the water industry. Professor Alan Alexander, Ernest Chambers and Charlie Cornish join us this morning. Thank you for the additional submissions to the committee, which we have al...
The Convener: Lab Committee
28 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
The substantive item on our agenda this morning is our inquiry into the water industry.We read with interest, minister, some stories in The Herald this morning. You may want to comment on the issues that were raised. I appreciate that your office responded correctly in regard ...
The Convener: Lab Committee
31 Jan 2001
Water Inquiry
We move on to agenda item 4. Our water inquiry is today's substantive business. We have with us Dr John Sawkins, Valerie Dickie, Bob Fullerton and Andrew Darling, whom I welcome to the meeting.Before we begin, I will say a few words about how we intend to manage this item, as ...
The Minister for Health and Community Care (Mr Andy Kerr): Lab Committee
31 Jan 2006
Hepatitis C
I welcome this opportunity to give evidence on the issues surrounding the infection of people with hepatitis C through national health service treatment with blood and blood products.As I have always said, like other ministers, I have the greatest sympathy for those affected b...
The Convener: Lab Committee
19 Sep 2001
Sea Cage Fish Farming
We are returning to issues that we discussed at our previous meeting. The inquiry under discussion is different from our usual format for inquiry in which we have terms of reference, time scales, interested parties and witnesses called to give evidence. We are maintaining the ...
The Convener: Lab Committee
17 Jan 2001
Water Inquiry
I would like to ask about the impact that water privatisation has had on standards in England and Wales. I presume that you work on an inter-agency basis and that you discuss such matters with colleagues down south. Has there been any discernible impact on water quality or emi...
The Convener (Mr Andy Kerr): Lab Committee
31 Jan 2001
Scottish Parliament<br />Transport and the Environment Committee<br />Wednesday 31 January 2001<br />(Morning)
I open the public session of the third meeting this year of the Transport and the Environment Committee. I have not received any apologies for today's meeting, at which we shall continue to take evidence for our water inquiry. As members know, our next meeting will take place ...
The Convener: Lab Committee
31 Jan 2001
Water Inquiry
I would like your view of arguments that have been put to us on unifying the three water authorities. One argument is that a single authority would then be the fourth largest water authority in the UK, with a reduced prospect of takeover; another is that management expertise a...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
I appreciate the points that Douglas Millican may want to make, but those questions were detailed and he has already said that he will pass on information to the committee. Ian Jones will also meet East of Scotland Water to discuss some of the issues that have been raised. The...
Mr Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): Lab Chamber
11 May 2000
Telecommunications
I am delighted to open this debate on behalf of the Transport and the Environment Committee. I thank my colleagues for their hard work in producing a thoughtful and thorough report. I also thank the clerking and research staff, who have contributed greatly to the report.I beli...
The Minister for Finance and Public Services (Mr Andy Kerr): Lab Committee
29 Jan 2002
Budget (Scotland) (No 3) Bill
I will hold the convener to his promise of giving me a light toasting rather than burning me to a crisp. The perspective sitting at this end of the table is different from that sitting at the members' end. I hope that I have a long and healthy relationship with the committee. ...
Mr Kerr: Lab Committee
29 Oct 2002
Budget Process 2003-04
Your first question is about the infrastructure problems that exist in Scotland. That is not just about local government; it is about health, the water infrastructure, schools and many other aspects of Scottish life. Through public-private partnerships and more traditional fun...
The Convener: Lab Committee
31 Oct 2001
Water Industry (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
For the benefit of members, it should be pointed out that some sizeable businesses have lost out in this process. We are not talking about Downie Todd plumbers, but about large organisations that people see in the streets every day. I hope that the new Scottish water authority...
The Convener: Lab Committee
09 Nov 2001
Water Industry (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Before Patricia Henton answers, I point out that the water industry commissioner did not, to be fair, indicate staff cuts at any level; he had a model based on information that he will forward to us. We would still like to hear Patricia's view, but I do not think that we shoul...
The Convener: Lab Committee
09 Nov 2001
Water Industry (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
If there are no other questions, I thank the SEPA representatives for joining us. Their evidence will form a major part of our consideration of the bill. I ask representatives of the three water authorities to join us—Dr Jon Hargreaves, Katharine Bryan and Charlie Cornish. Bob...
The Convener (Mr Andy Kerr): Lab Committee
14 Nov 2001
Water Industry (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Good morning. I welcome everyone to this meeting of the Transport and the Environment Committee. I have received apologies from Adam Ingram. Des McNulty is on a train and will join us when it comes in. I welcome Bruce Crawford, who has taken part in many of our deliberations o...
The Minister for Finance and Public Services (Mr Andy Kerr): Lab Chamber
24 Jun 2004
Efficient Government
I wish to outline to the Parliament how the Government will drive forward our agenda for improvement and delivery, our work to get the best value from every public pound spent and our intention to invest in Scotland's future prosperity. The United Kingdom spending review will ...
Andy Kerr: Lab Chamber
17 Apr 2008
Local Income Tax
Mr Swinney's financial incompetence comes to the fore. I was not quoting the Treasury when I said that that money was not due to Scotland; I was quoting Sir Peter Burt and many other learned professors and commentators who all agreed at the outset of the debate—as the SNP knew...
The Convener: Lab Committee
07 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
Thank you very much. I look around the room and see a number of frozen individuals; indeed, I thought that our water inquiry was going to turn to ice halfway through this morning's proceedings. However, Murray Tosh heated us up by raising the prospect of Mrs Thatcher.Although ...
The Convener: Lab Committee
28 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
Once again, thank you for your attendance this morning.That was the final evidence session of our water inquiry. I thank all the witnesses who have taken part and given evidence. Their contributions have been extremely useful.Agenda item 4 is subordinate legislation. We will w...
The Minister for Finance and Public Services (Mr Andy Kerr): Lab Committee
23 Apr 2002
Private Finance Initiative/Public-private Partnership Inquiry
I want to explain briefly my role in relation to PPP policy and funding in Scotland. I also want to answer your questions on the issue as best as I can. Sandy Rosie and Andrew Clearie are here to help me with that.I have done my best to read the Official Report of some of the ...
Mr Kerr: Lab Committee
23 Apr 2002
Private Finance Initiative/Public-private Partnership Inquiry
Within parameters, we devolve powers and the taking of decisions to relevant authorities. For example, we talked about local government and the prudential framework. In relation to the water industry, the water industry commissioner can determine ceilings on the industry's cha...
Mr Kerr: Lab Committee
23 Apr 2002
Private Finance Initiative/Public-private Partnership Inquiry
My view is that risk is best dealt with by the most appropriate organisation in the partnership. The public sector takes a risk when it projects its estate requirements and estimates its school rolls over the next 25 or 30 years. It is legitimate for the public sector to take ...
The Convener: Lab Committee
12 Dec 2000
Water Inquiry
We need to avoid collective answering, otherwise the official report will have no chance of working out the position of each representative from the water industry on some of these issues.
The Convener: Lab Committee
17 Jan 2001
Water Inquiry
The Executive published a document on water quality standards recently.
The Convener: Lab Committee
07 Feb 2001
Items in Private
At our meeting on 14 February, we are taking further evidence in our water inquiry from East of Scotland Water and from witnesses who were going to have been in Aberdeen. The Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture has been invited to appear before the committee on 28 Febr...
The Convener: Lab Committee
07 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
We are under some pressure for time. Are there any other supplementary questions on finance issues before we move on to water quality and investment?
The Convener: Lab Committee
07 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
That evidence would be useful, as we will ask the question of each water authority. You will want to ensure that your views are made known. Obviously, we would also be interested in any collective view.
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
We now move to the more substantial part of this morning's business. I welcome the people in the public gallery and the witnesses from East of Scotland Water. We have with us Councillor Robert Cairns, Jon Hargreaves, Iain Gardner, Jonathan Cape and Douglas Millican. I thank th...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
Is it appropriate for the Government to do that on the basis of internal Scottish competition? The Rolls-Royce model that you referred to is based on international competition—the Government is taking a stake in a UK company that is in competition with a US company. Would that...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
Both, or even all the utilities in Scotland. There is no reason why Scottish and Southern Energy plc—or anybody else, for that matter—might not enter the water market in the bundled services structure that you mentioned. Would it be appropriate for the Government to have a sta...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
Others have said that if one wanted to establish a single-supplier deal with a Scottish-wide chain, there would have to be a discussion with other water authorities about that relationship. One assumes that there would be infractions on each other's areas.
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
I shall ask a final question. If there are any really pressing questions that other members want to raise before East of Scotland Water's evidence session closes, they will be able to ask them, but we must be aware of the time constraints. What is your view on a single tariff ...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
You have raised some broader issues, which we can reflect on but we are here to focus on the water charge.
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
I asked about your relationship with NOSWA. Have you said to it that you do not want a 17-mile pipe, but that it could perhaps give you a hand by sinking boreholes or providing other clean water systems? Have you discussed those options with NOSWA? What views have been express...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
I thank the witnesses from the North of Scotland Water Authority for joining us again. I apologise for not being able to meet them in Aberdeen, where we would have had an interesting meeting, particularly given some of the sites that we were to visit. Unfortunately, that was n...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
The detail in the information that we received from the other water authorities was greater than in the information that we received from NOSWA. However, Ian Jones will deal with that later.
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
Thank you. I want to move on to issues of efficiency and structure. We will write to you on two matters that have been raised: benchmarking methodology in respect of efficiency savings; and the achievement of efficiency targets in relation to resources, particularly staffing.W...
The Convener: Lab Committee
14 Feb 2001
Water Inquiry
I was wondering about the diversion of management resources and about people's uncertainty over their future if there was a single water authority. You need to compete yesterday—never mind tomorrow.
← Back to list
Committee

Transport and the Environment Committee, 12 Dec 2000

12 Dec 2000 · S1 · Transport and the Environment Committee
Item of business
Water Inquiry
Kerr, Andy Lab East Kilbride Watch on SPTV
I apologise to our guests from the water industry for the late start to this item. As you will have discovered, due to unforeseen circumstances that have arisen in respect of a previous item of business, we have just had a fairly lengthy session with the Minister for Transport.

I welcome the chairpersons and chief executives of the three Scottish water authorities. We have with us Dr Jon Hargreaves, chief executive of East of Scotland Water, who is accompanied by Councillor Robert Cairns, chairperson of East of Scotland Water; Katharine Bryan, chief executive of North of Scotland Water Authority, and Colin Rennie, chairperson of North of Scotland Water Authority; and Ernest Chambers, chief executive of West of Scotland Water, who is accompanied by Professor Alan Alexander, chairperson of West of Scotland Water.

Thank you for your written submission, which has been most useful in informing the discussion that we are about to have. I understand that Professor Alan Alexander will make a brief opening presentation to us on behalf of all three authorities. I take it that at this point members do not have any questions about the process.

In the same item of business

The Convener: Lab
I apologise to our guests from the water industry for the late start to this item. As you will have discovered, due to unforeseen circumstances that have ari...
Professor Alan Alexander (West of Scotland Water):
Convener, I would like to reciprocate and offer you our thanks for the invitation to address the committee this afternoon. I will make a short presentation o...
The Convener: Lab
Thank you. You have given us a very good overview, which will allow us to make a good start to the discussion. Your summary paper was also useful.It will be ...
Robin Harper: Green
It is clear from your presentation that you feel that restructuring has enabled considerable advances to be made in the water industry in Scotland. Does any ...
Ernest Chambers (West of Scotland Water):
I have worked with both systems. I believe that the structure that was introduced in 1996 has had a number of advantages for the Scottish water service and f...
Mr Tosh: Con
I apologise for asking a question on the structure that looks backwards, but this has been part of the debate since reorganisation. Would any benefits arise ...
Professor Alexander:
Your question implicitly concedes that the institutional structure of Scottish local government does not suit our needs. I am not convinced that any other fo...
Bruce Crawford: SNP
Responsibility was taken away from local authorities some time back, there were many changes to the structure and you are now beginning to consolidate the ar...
Professor Alexander:
There is a problem of scale. It would be very difficult for one local authority to wholly own a company that would be big enough to do the job that we curren...
Bruce Crawford: SNP
Under the old mechanisms, you would report back to councils. If it were a wholly owned public company made up of a consortium of people, would that not maint...
Professor Alexander:
The area covered by West of Scotland Water includes 13 local authorities. If 13 local authorities owned the company, I would expect that local accountability...
Robin Harper: Green
In your submission you say that you"substantially reduced sea and river pollution."You mentioned that 51 out of 60 beaches had passed. That is generally thou...
Professor Alexander:
I suggest that the chief executives answer that question individually, in respect of the area for which they are responsible.
The Convener: Lab
As long as we keep the answers fairly tight.
Dr Jon Hargreaves (East of Scotland Water):
In terms of the urban waste water directive, we have four or five—because circumstances at Eyemouth have changed—undertakings that will not be on stream at 3...
Robin Harper: Green
Can I clarify whether you are taking about slurry as the pollutant in streams?
Dr Hargreaves:
I am talking about general run-off from streets, agriculture and so on. Streams carry bacteria and run into beaches. They go into the high water or low water...
Katharine Bryan (North of Scotland Water Authority):
In the north, 65 per cent of our sewage goes into the sea untreated. To tackle that from the angle of the urban waste water treatment directive, we have four...
Ernest Chambers:
West of Scotland Water complied with the 1998 deadline to stop the disposal of sludge at sea. We are now able to recycle most of our sludge to reclamation—th...
Robin Harper: Green
Moving on, is our drinking water of a comparable standard to the rest of Europe?
Dr Hargreaves:
The right answer is that we are getting there. Rather like sewage, the situation with drinking water is complex, as the standards keep changing. We are all a...
Robin Harper: Green
So you do not think that any specific problems remain?
Dr Hargreaves:
Each of us has small specific issues, although some are bigger than others.
Katharine Bryan:
It gives me no pleasure to say that NOSWA's drinking water is the worst in the UK. We need that investment of £400 million in order to bring the water up to ...
Ernest Chambers:
There has been a transformation since 1990, when Strathclyde Regional Council started on a programme of 146 projects to modernise the water treatment facilit...
Nora Radcliffe: LD
It would be helpful if the witnesses would comment on private water supplies and where they fit into the system.
The Convener: Lab
Who would be the best candidate to answer that question?
Ernest Chambers:
I can speak about the situation in the west of Scotland, where there are about 1,050,000 houses, of which all but 19,000 are connected to the public water su...
Katharine Bryan:
Three per cent of the population in the NOSWA area is served by private supply.
Dr Hargreaves:
We have a smaller proportion of people who receive private supplies than either NOSWA or West of Scotland Water, but we face the same issues. Whether people ...