For with the land comes the right to withdraw the water linked to it, in most countries essentially a freebie that increasingly could be the most valuable part of the deal.

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Relatives of terminally-ill patients would have to be consulted before a decision to withdraw food or water is taken, under new government proposals.

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However, the organisations have said they would withdraw their objections if SSE was willing to work with them on reducing any risks to water courses essential to species such as Atlantic salmon and sea trout.

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