Chamber and committees

We are aware of concerns that new housing development is unable to take place in some areas because the sewerage system is already operating at or near capacity. Scottish Executive officials will be meeting both local authority and house-building industry representatives shortly to discuss the matter.The Scottish water authorities have been asked to provide further detailed information and this will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre as soon as possible.

The planning system is intended to control "development" of the built environment, not the growth of trees and hedges, and we have no plans to change the system in that respect.The Executive issued a consultation paper in January 2000 to try to gauge the extent of problems with high boundary trees and hedges. Having considered the responses, I announced the Executive's intention on 31 January 2001 to introduce a statutory remedy of last resort in relation to nuisance high hedges. The remedy would involve complaints to the local authority and enforcement action in appropriate cases, where other avenues had been exhausted. It was made clear, however, that no commitment could be given at that stage as to when legislation might be brought forward. In view of its substantial legislative programme, the Executive cannot at present give a commitment on when legislation on high boundary trees and hedges might be brought forward.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to question S1W-18893 on 2 November 2001.

No specific guidance has been issued. General queries on this topic are received from time to time, from both individuals and organisations, and information is provided to enquirers as required.Local authorities already have powers to take action where knotweed poses a threat to the local amenity of an area. Action may also be taken by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in pursuance of its general duty to "secure the conservation and enhancement of ... the natural heritage of Scotland". SNH has recently completed An Audit of Alien Species in Scotland (Review No. 139, SNH, 2001) which provides an assessment of the threat posed by knotweed. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has a role in providing guidance on the use of herbicides and the disposal of waste contaminated with knotweed.Partnerships involving the above statutory bodies, the owners and occupiers of affected property and other interested parties are therefore the most appropriate mechanism for dealing with specific knotweed problems at a local level. Advice issued by the Executive reflects that position.

Discussions between ourselves and the Ministry of Defence are at an early stage. It is clearly important that the situation be clarified quickly, although it would be inappropriate to give details of these discussions until we have something substantive to report.

No. The Aggregates Levy comes into force in April 2002 and so the revenue from the Aggregates Levy will be allocated from 2002-03.

The aggregate tax is a reserved matter. Detailed questions on the impact of the aggregates tax should be directed to HM Treasury. Although no separate assessment of the impact of the tax has been undertaken in Scotland, it is expected that the supply and demand of recycled and secondary aggregates will increase.

The aggregates tax is a reserved matter. Assessment of the economic impact of the tax throughout the UK is a matter for HM Treasury.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18765.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18765.