Chamber and committees

Rural Direct progress is monitored by way of a service level agreement. SCVO and CC meet regularly with officials to provide an update on progress. Early indications from both partners are that the service has already received a high level of interest.

Future arrangements will be dependent both on the proposed review and, in the Highlands and Islands, on discussions with Highlands and Islands Enterprise regarding its assumption from the Crofters Commission of responsibility for the development of crofting communities.

Of those responses which sought to answer the specific questions in the consultation document, 224 addressed directly or indirectly the question about whether the 80% target should be based on carbon dioxide only or on the basket of six greenhouse gases. Of that number, a large majority stated in full or in part, or inferred, support for using the basket of six greenhouse gases.

In line with established good practice, the analysis of the responses to the consultation was a qualitative exercise designed to reflect the breadth and overall pattern of views expressed across the range of stakeholders who responded, rather than to measure and quantify these patterns. Campaign participants were encouraged to adapt a core script provided by the campaign organisers. The analysis of these responses took account of both the core script statement plus all amendments and additions by individuals.

Three campaign texts explicitly supported the use of the basket of six greenhouse gases. In total, 907 responses were received from these campaigns.

A number of additional responses, including the remaining five campaign texts, referred to greenhouse gases, rather than carbon dioxide or the full basket of greenhouse gases, without stating explicitly which gases they were referring to. In total, 19,812 responses were received from these campaigns.

The open nature of the consultation questions meant that answers to one question often contained views relevant to another. In relation to support for a target based on all greenhouse gas emissions, a wide range of information from across the responses was considered in order to determine the level of support for this measure. In analysing the responses, the contracted analysts had to determine whether support was explicit, inferred, or expressed in response to another issue.

Further information about the methodology used can be found in section 1 and annex 3 of the report of the analysis of the consultation responses, which can be found at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/15113442/0.

Around a third of all individual respondents, and all but one of the campaign texts, expressed their specific support for the level of the target.

To present further analysis of the views received as a percentage of the whole would be misleading because the majority of responses did not include views on these topics because they were not sought.

Further detail in the methodology used in the analysis of the responses to the consultation on proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill is provided in the answer to question S3W-16038 on 10 September 2008. 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.

Around a third of all individual respondents, and all of the campaign texts, suggested the inclusion of aviation and shipping in the target. Not all of these respondents made a distinction between international and domestic aviation and shipping. Domestic aviation and shipping will be included in the target from the start.

To present further analysis of the views received as a percentage of the whole would be misleading because the majority of responses did not include views on these topics because they were not sought.

Further detail in the methodology used in the analysis of the responses to the consultation on proposals for a Scottish Climate Change Bill is provided in the answer to question S3W-16038 on 10 September 2008. 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/wa.search.

When the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board was last reviewed in 2005, a decision was taken to retain it, but with provision for a further review no later than 2010. In bringing forward this review of the board, we are seeking views on whether it should retain its statutory powers, be replaced by an advisory body or be disbanded altogether, without any replacement body.