Chamber and committees

We are closely involved with the development of the EU Directive on this matter which was discussed at the EU Environment Council which I attended in Brussels earlier this week. Many of the key elements of strategic environmental assessment will be taken forward by my Ministerial Group on sustainable development about which I shall make a fuller statement to Parliament in the New Year.The Council reached a common position on a proposal for a Directive for the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (commonly known as Strategic Environmental Assessment). This would seek to provide a high level of protection of the environment and through integration of environmental considerations into plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development. This Directive is compatible with our Programme for Government commitment to introduce strategic environmental assessment for our Government programmes. We succeeded in ensuring that the scope of the proposed Directive is as clearly defined as possible.

Two other common positions were reached. On a proposal for a second air quality Daughter Directive which will set limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air to ensure a high level of protection for human health. We supported this proposal whose limit values are close to the targets we have already set in the UK's draft Air Quality Strategy. Also, on a proposal for a Council recommendation to set minimum criteria for inspection tasks carried out at Member State level to ensure consistent application and enforcement of Community environmental legislation. The criteria were accompanied by guidance on ways in which their practical application could be monitored by Members States. We supported the proposal which will enable Scotland to continue a risk-based approach to inspections, raising the standard of environmental inspections whilst ensuring bureaucracy is minimised.

Council conclusions were agreed on the Global Assessment of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme (which has been the framework of EU environmental policy over the last six years) and a set of Headline Indicators. The Assessment will inform the development of the Sixth Environment Action Programme which will set out the environmental priorities over the next decade. We conveyed our view that the Sixth Action programme should set future environmental policy within a wider context, where environmental, social and economic objectives are pursued in a mutually reinforcing way.

A progress report was considered on the proposed National Emission Ceilings Directive which aims to limit emissions of acidifying and eutrophying pollutants and ozone precursors, by setting national emission ceilings (NECS) not to be exceeded after 2010.Finally, the Council received a Commission report on a chemicals strategy, following a review of the existing EU regulatory framework which has become increasingly complex. The aims of the strategy are to maintain a high level of protection of human health and the environment, to raise the confidence of the public in chemicals management and to ensure compliance with the regulations of the internal market. A Communication will be presented next summer setting out the options for a new comprehensive regulatory system and, to ensure a smooth transition, to speed up the current system for assessing chemicals currently in use.

We are closely involved with the development of the EU Directive on this matter which was discussed at the EU Environment Council which I attended in Brussels earlier this week. Many of the key elements of strategic environmental assessment will be taken forward by my Ministerial Group on sustainable development about which I shall make a fuller statement to Parliament in the New Year.The Council reached a common position on a proposal for a Directive for the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (commonly known as Strategic Environmental Assessment). This would seek to provide a high level of protection of the environment and through integration of environmental considerations into plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development. This Directive is compatible with our Programme for Government commitment to introduce strategic environmental assessment for our Government programmes. We succeeded in ensuring that the scope of the proposed Directive is as clearly defined as possible. Two other common positions were reached. On a proposal for a second air quality Daughter Directive which will set limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air to ensure a high level of protection for human health. We supported this proposal whose limit values are close to the targets we have already set in the UK's draft Air Quality Strategy. Also, on a proposal for a Council recommendation to set minimum criteria for inspection tasks carried out at Member State level to ensure consistent application and enforcement of Community environmental legislation. The criteria were accompanied by guidance on ways in which their practical application could be monitored by Members States. We supported the proposal which will enable Scotland to continue a risk based approach to inspections, raising the standard of environmental inspections whilst ensuring bureaucracy is minimised.Council conclusions were agreed on the Global Assessment of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme (which has been the framework of EU environmental policy over the last 6 years) and a set of Headline Indicators. The Assessment will inform the development of the Sixth Environment Action Programme which will set out the environmental priorities over the next decade. We conveyed our view that the Sixth Action programme should set future environmental policy within a wider context, where environmental, social and economic objectives are pursued in a mutually reinforcing way.A progress report was considered on the proposed National Emission Ceilings Directive which aims to limit emissions of acidifying and eutrophying pollutants and ozone precursors, by setting national emission ceilings (NECS) not to be exceeded after 2010. Finally, the Council received a Commission report on a chemicals strategy, following a review of the existing EU regulatory framework which has become increasingly complex. The aims of the strategy are to maintain a high level of protection of human health and the environment, to raise the confidence of the public in chemicals management and to ensure compliance with the regulations of the internal market. A Communication will be presented next summer setting out the options for a new comprehensive regulatory system and, to ensure a smooth transition, to speed up the current system for assessing chemicals currently in use.

The Scottish Executive recognises that funding is a key issue for voluntary organisations and is developing a more strategic approach to its own funding of the sector. The Executive has a commitment to work with other funders to create a more stable funding environment for the sector at both national and local level, for instance through three year funding. The Scottish Compact commits the Scottish Executive to best practice in funding, monitoring publicly-funded work, and to targeting resources effectively in a way which takes account of need. As part of the implementation of the Scottish Compact, good practice guidance on funding has been drafted and this is presently out for consultation.

Young people's active participation in decisions affecting their lives and interests is central to our Action Programme for Youth on which we are working with local authorities and the voluntary sector. I have seen several examples of this in practice and commend it to all councils and voluntary organisations.

Young people's active participation in decisions affecting their lives and interests is central to our Action Programme for Youth on which we are working with local authorities and the voluntary sector. I have seen several examples of this in practice and commend it to all councils and voluntary organisations.

There has been regular and ongoing contact with officials of the Home Office, as my answer of 8 November indicated.

No. Where local authorities provide housing for asylum seekers, they will do so under arrangements made directly with the Home Office.

Administration costs will be one element of costs which local authorities will need to take into account in putting proposals to the Home Office. This is therefore a matter for discussion between local authorities and the Home Office.

Arrangements for looking after asylum seekers in Scotland under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 are a matter for the Home Office. The Home Office has had several meetings in Scotland with many of the organisations mentioned. COSLA's concerns about the then Bill were expressed in briefing sent to Members of Parliament and, after the elections in May, to Members of the Scottish Parliament.

No. Under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 the Home Office will be responsible for providing asylum seekers with housing and support for their daily living needs.