Row over water bill's progress

CONCERNS about new legislation on the future of Scottish Water are to be raised at Holyrood tomorrow.

The SNP government wants to keep Scottish Water in public ownership but allow the utility to expand its operations. But transport minister Stewart Stevenson said the Scottish Water Bill would be opened up to consultation, sparking fears from the Lib Dems that it was withdrawn before Holyrood's Presiding Officer, Alex Fergusson, could rule on its competency to proceed.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott claimed the bill had been "shelved" because of fears it would be ruled against.