Chamber and committees

We would propose no such moratorium.

The upgrade of the transmission systems in Scotland is a matter for the owners, Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission Ltd and SP Transmission, and the industry regulator, Ofgem. The regulation of the electricity industry is a reserved matter.Any proposal involving the construction of new transmission lines or the upgrading of existing lines would be subject to consent from Scottish ministers under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989. Projects such as this would also be subject to The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000. This would entail consultation with the public and the entire range of public bodies and Non-Governmental Organisations with an interest in such matters.

I refer the member to the answers given to questions S2W-1521 and S2W-1522 on . All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

The regulation of the electricity network is a reserved matter. However, the Executive participates in the work of the GB Transmission Issues Working Group (TIWG), which has been tasked with looking at the implications for the GB electricity network of the Government's renewable targets. A report by the group, published in June 2003, estimated that the overall cost of connecting more than 6 gigawatts (GW) of additional renewable capacity in Scotland could be around £1.75 billion.

The regulation of the electricity network is a reserved matter. The electricity network is privately owned and operated and network upgrades are the responsibility of the owners in conjunction with the regulator, Ofgem.

The Executive consulted with relevant experts within the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage when preparing its formal response to the planning application for the proposed integrated lignite mine and power station near Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. Our response was submitted on 13 May 2003. Executive officials are keeping in close contact with the Northern Ireland Office Environment Group and Planning Service in connection with this planning application.

The Scottish Executive is closely monitoring the planning application for the proposed integrated lignite mine and power station development near Ballymoney in Northern Ireland. We formally responded to the Northern Ireland Office Planning Service on 13 May 2003, after considering the planning application and accompanying Environment Statement (ES).The Executive's response focussed on the potential environmental impact of any future emissions on Scotland. In particular, we commented on the acidification and eutrophication implications of emissions for natural ecosystems and the potential human health implications from particulate matter (PM₁₀) brought by prevailing winds to the Scottish islands and mainland. We pointed out that the ES had not included any information on the potential transboundary impacts of the emitted pollutants on Scotland and asked that the ES be amended to address this shortcoming.The Executive will, if the planning application proceeds to a public inquiry, make full representations to ensure that due account is taken of any potential implications for air quality in Scotland and of relevant EU legislation.

I recently met representatives of the National Association of Funeral Directors when this issue was discussed. The matter is now being considered further in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive and other interests.

A consultation paper enclosing a draft Tenements (Scotland) Bill was published on 20 March and the consultation period concluded on 13 June. That paper invited views on the appointment of factors. The Executive will be considering the responses to the consultation paper and bringing forward proposals.

The move to full, and sustainable, compliance requires more imaginative solutions than are been applied at present and a greater degree of urgency. The answer involves staff working in teams and thinking more creatively about new roles and responsibilities as part of the wider reform agenda. Nonetheless, some additional capacity will be required. As part of Workforce Planning for Doctors, there has been a commitment to recruit an additional 375 more junior doctors by 2004. The Partnership for a Better Scotland: Partnership Agreement, May 2003, identifies a target of 600 extra consultants to be recruited across NHSScotland by 2006 and increases in other staffing groups.