LONDON, Jan 6 - Following is a selection of economists' reactions to the December CIPS/ service sector PMI released on Tuesday. The PMI dropped to 58.5 from 59.6 in November and against expectations of a rise to 60.0. RICHARD BATLEY, HALIFAX "It is a bit disappointing relative to market expectations but it is important not to blow it out of all proportion -- it is still a very strong number. "The employment number was very strong so the slowdown seems to have been driven by a slight pullback in the new orders component. "Although we are not expecting a rate hike on Thursday, this makes one even less likely."//www.reuters.com