Chamber and committees

The composition of Scotland''s future electricity generation will be dependent on a number of factors, including relative cost of fuels, requirements in relation to carbon emissions and related investment decisions made by the private sector. Therefore, we do not have a specific prediction for coal-based generation.

It will be for the industry to bring forward proposals for new or replacement capacity, and Scottish ministers will consider each on its merits under our consenting powers in the Electricity Act 1989. We will be consulting shortly on new guidance for applications for consent to construct thermal power generation.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the incidence of asbestos in schools or other public buildings. The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006 place a duty on those with responsibilities for buildings to manage the risk from asbestos. In the case of schools that would be the local authority.

Officials in Constitution, Law and Courts Directorate are considering the Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Conversion of Long Leases (Scot Law Com 204) and the Scottish Government will take a view in due course about the timing of any bill.

A two-stage process of consultation on measures to improve the energy performance of existing buildings is proposed. The first consultation will focus on non-domestic buildings and is expected to be launched within the next few weeks. We will endeavour to provide an analysis of this consultation prior to parliamentary scrutiny of the Climate Change Bill. The second consultation will cover measures related to existing housing and it is planned to issue this later in the year.

As outlined in The Government Economic Strategy, whether our emission reduction targets will be based on a basket of greenhouse gases or CO₂ alone, will be decided after the public consultation on the proposals for the Scottish Climate Change Bill. Public consultation closed on 23 April and responses are currently being considered.

The Technical Notes for the 2007 Spending Review (available on the Scottish Government website at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/30090722/0) confirm that, pending a final decision on the gases to be covered, the short-term target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the period to 2011 from a baseline of 2005.

We are committed to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050 which is equivalent to an average reduction of more than 3% per year. Continuous progress to reduce emissions is essential and the Scottish Government believe that reporting an annual measure of progress within a multi-year budget process is the best means of achieving this. Independent, expert advice would be taken on the trajectory of emissions needed to meet our 2050 target.

We are considering our final approach in light of responses to our consultation on a Scottish Climate Change Bill. In the meantime, we have committed to reduce emissions over the period to 2011 from a baseline of 2005.

There is already legal protection for common good assets held in perpetuity. The question of whether the existing legislation is sufficient is being considered by my officials in consultation with local government.

It is the responsibility of each Local Authority to manage its common good assets and funds in accordance with all current statutory requirements and non-statutory guidance.

The protection of common good assets and their retention for community ownership will be given careful consideration in any future legislative proposals on the conversion of long leases.

Officials in Constitution, Law and Courts Directorate are currently giving consideration to the Scottish Law Commission’s report and the Scottish Government will take a view in due course about a response to its recommendations and the timing of any bill.