The Scottish Ministers hereby direct Scottish Water to exercise its functions during the financial year beginning with 1st April 2002 with a view to securing that it achieves in respect of that year a rate of return on the value of its average net assets for that year which is not less that that specified in paragraph (2) below.

6% is hereby specified as the rate of return which the Scottish Ministers consider it reasonable for Scottish Water to achieve on the value of its average net assets for the financial year beginning with 1st April 2002.