Chamber and committees

Under the provisions made in the UK Transport Bill, introduced on 1 December 1999, the Scottish Ministers will be able to issue directions and guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority for passenger rail services which begin and end in Scotland. These will reflect the Executive's strategic priorities for the provision of rail services throughout Scotland. In drawing up these priorities, consideration will be given to a range of proposals, including the Scottish Borders railway line. We will publish our directions and guidance when they are issued.

The Executive is currently consulting about an obligation on electricity suppliers to provide an additional 5% of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2010. However this obligation would not be technology specific.

In addition, we are encouraging Scottish companies to seize the opportunities which should arise from the development of renewable energy projects, including offshore wind. Developers of offshore wind projects can apply for research and development funding from the Department of Trade and Industry's budget for New and Renewable Energy. Such projects within UK waters require a licence from the Crown Estate Commissioners as owners of the sea-bed. The UK Government is working closely with the Commission to ensure that the potential for wind energy is realised.

The Scottish Executive maintains regular contact with DETR on a wide range of ports and harbour issues. This includes the devolved aspects of a UK wide review of ports policy following a consultation paper issued by DETR in February 1999. The Executive plans to publish the outcome of the review in the form of a ports "daughter document" to the White Paper Travel Choices in Scotland in co-operation with DETR during the course of this year.

Ports and harbour charges are subject to controls in the Harbours Act and related legislation. These include powers for statutory ports and harbour authorities to levy charges, subject to a statutory right of objection, and related obligations to publish dues and to keep accounts.

The Scottish Executive plans to develop its devolved responsibilities for ports and harbours policy in Scotland within the integrated transport policy framework set out in the White Paper, Travel Choices for Scotland. The Executive plans to issue a ports "daughter document" to the White Paper which will set out detailed policies to enable Scottish ports and harbours to develop in the light of Scotland's transport and environmental circumstances.

Ports in Scotland are subject to a wide range of statutory and regulatory requirements covering both devolved and reserved responsibilities. The Executive is working with the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions on a wide ranging ports policy paper setting out how Government will work with the industry, its users and other interests to ensure that regulation adds value to the ports industry and that the overall demands are co-ordinated.

Investment in ports is the responsibility of the individual port and harbour authority owner and operator involved.

The Executive has no plans to create a port and harbours regulator or ombudsman because the need for such a post has not been demonstrated.

Local authorities are given an annual budget and normally it is for the individual authority to decide how the money is spent. Grant Aided Expenditure for waste, including recycling, was some £116 million in 1999-2000.

In recognition of the additional administrative burden created by the National Waste Strategy: Scotland, £2.5 million per annum was identified for preparation and planning for implementation of the strategy. This money is available from this year onwards.

Future spending on recycling and waste management will depend on the results of the Spending Review, which will be announced in the autumn.

The Executive keeps in regular contact with Treasury on a range of reserved issues which affect Scottish interests.