Seòmar agus comataidhean

Yes. A Scottish sustainable procurement action plan to support the public sector''s move to more sustainable behaviour is currently in development. The EU Energy Services Directive and forthcoming Cleaner and More Efficient Vehicles Directive will require public authorities and certain public transport providers to take into account energy efficiency and environmental impacts when purchasing road transport vehicles.

In addition, we are currently investigating ways of making the Bus Service Operators Grant scheme more environmentally focused by encouraging operator investment in cleaner and more efficient vehicles. We will consult with stakeholders in due course as proposals are developed.

Maintaining economic activity in remote areas and maintaining capacity to produce food are public goods that deliver social, economic and environmental benefits.

Scottish ministers have met with representatives of Rothschild bank on two occasions to receive advice on forestry matters.

Enjoyment of wildlife and landscape generally conform to standard definitions of public goods. For example, appreciation of scenery is freely available to all and the pleasure from the study of wildlife can be shared by all. However, there are also gains from land use which are not public goods and in some instances controls to avoid disturbance of wildlife or sensitive environments may be desirable or necessary in the wider public interest.

The standard definition in economic theory of a public good being non-rival and non-excludable provides a set of hypothetical criteria against which market failure can be assessed, and is one of five economic rationales for government intervention. Governments often have to take a more pragmatic approach when assessing the rationale for government intervention against these hypothetical criteria and in that sense are not tied to precise definitions. Beyond economic theory, the term public good is used more broadly to refer to a range of social, economic and environmental benefits.

This information is not held centrally.

The Order before Parliament has changed from the draft outlined in the consultation paper including:

Thresholds have been made less restrictive, for example the projection of solar panels above the roof plane has been increased from 150mm to 200mm and limits on the area of roof or wall to be covered have been removed;

Additional environmental safeguards have been included, for example permitted development rights for biomass equipment have not been granted in Air Quality Management Areas, and

Permitted development rights for two classes of development, wind turbines and air source heat pmps) have not been granted pending further consideration.

The consultation paper can be view at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/03/04090052/0.

The Order before Parliament can be viewed at:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2009/ssi_20090034_en_1.

This information is not held centrally.

The key issues raised in response to the 26 questions posed in the consultation paper can be seen in the Summary of Consultation Responses. This can be viewed on the government website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/02/06145853/0.

Eighty-two responses were received to the consultation on permitted development rights for domestic  micro-generation equipment. These can be viewed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/28101947/0.