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Our position on new nuclear power in Scotland remains clear. We have not made representations to the UK Government in relation to calls for a public inquiry into the justification process.

Marketing of the Home Insulation Scheme (HIS) is expected to begin in late September, with doorstep assessment visits starting in early November and the first measures being installed in early December. It is not possible at this stage to accurately estimate the number of households which will sign up to receive insulation measures by the end of 2009. Our planning and funding framework is based on financial years, i.e. 2009-10 for the first phase. When HIS is underway and data is collected for monitoring and evaluation purposes it will be possible to provide more informed estimates.

Seven criteria for area selection were agreed with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) following a joint COSLA-Scottish Government workshop for local authorities on 28 April. Local authorities attending this joint session contributed to discussion which helped shape the agreed criteria. Local authorities were then asked to submit bids, providing information relating to their proposed areas against the following selection criteria:

Criteria A: Levels of carbon emissions in an area/neighbourhood

Criteria B: Levels of fuel poverty in an area/neighbourhood

Criteria C: Numbers of dwellings that can be treated with loft insulation and cavity fill

Criteria D: Potential for complementary funding from other sources

Criteria E: Appropriate mix of geographical areas

Criteria F: Ability to deliver within the prescribed timescale

Criteria G: Mechanisms for community engagement.

An assessment panel, consisting of Scottish Government officials and a representative from Energy Action Scotland, was then established to consider bids. To assist the panel, guidance was developed to underpin the seven overall assessment criteria. There then followed a three-stage process “ individual assessment by each panel member; followed by collective assessment of the stronger applications by the panel, and then further discussion with relevant council officers from short-listed councils at interview prior to decision and recommendation. The Energy Saving Trust also supplied expert advice in a non-voting capacity.

The bulk of publicity and promotion costs under the Home Insulation Scheme will be delivered by the managing agent and funded by the Scottish Government. However, in some cases, local agencies are providing complementary support for publicity and promotion.

The Energy Saving Trust, as managing agent, is currently carrying out a procurement exercise to appoint the supplier offering the best deal for Home Insulation Scheme customers in a given area. This will be an open and competitive process in order to obtain value for money and to reflect EU procedures and regulations. It will be the responsibility of each supplier, when appointed, to enter into contracts as they see fit to ensure that the required skills are available to ensure installation of appropriate insulation measures in each area.

We recognise the need to make substantial progress in our existing housing stock to meet our climate change ambitions. Whilst resources are tight, we have made a significant start by identifying resources for the Home Insulation Scheme in the 2009-10 Budget, and, subject to parliamentary approval, in 2010-11. Again subject to parliamentary approval, we intend to continue in budgetary terms year by year towards the achievement of a step-change in energy efficiency and insulation by 2020. The first phase of investment and the associated evaluation will assist in determining the best way of taking this forward in future years.

Our initial estimate of potential emission savings under the Home Insulation Scheme remains as stated in my answer to question S3W-23534 on 12 May 2009. The Scottish Government''s analytical framework for carbon assessment is under continuing development and this may affect the calculation of future estimates.

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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Our target date for completion of door-step assessments of all eligible homes under the first phase of the Home Insulation Scheme (HIS) is 31 March 2010 with delivery of insulation in all suitable homes where owners want them by that date, or shortly thereafter. The Energy Saving Trust, as managing agent, will work with delivery partners to ensure that these measures are installed to a high standard. Monitoring of the quality of the measures installed will be a feature of HIS.

It is, however, likely that loft and cavity wall insulation will generally not be appropriate for hard-to-treat homes and that such properties will be assisted through the provision of energy audits, benefits advice and social tariff checks where appropriate.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27371 on 24 September 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27367 on 24 September 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.