Chamber and committees

There has been a significant increase in businesses based in Scotland registered to install solar water heating under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, from 46 in January 2010 to 112 as of July 2012. We therefore do not consider accreditation is an impediment to companies becoming installers. The Scottish Government wishes to increase uptake of microgeneration across Scotland and we will continue to work with industry, in particular through the Microgeneration Task Group, to take forward recommendations in the Microgeneration Strategy for Scotland.

The latest Annual Population Survey for April 2011 to March 2012 estimates that 88% of 16 year olds and 79% of 17 year olds are enrolled in any education or are currently doing a recognised apprenticeship.

Source: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics.

Circular 6/2011: Compulsory Purchase Orders set out that in deciding whether to confirm a compulsory purchase order Scottish Ministers will weigh up the public benefit in the public body's proposals against the interests of the people affected. The public body should properly assess the public benefit in its proposals and the impact on the people affected. The circular suggests some issues the public body may wish to consider when assessing the public interest. The statement of reasons which accompanies the submission to ministers of the compulsory purchase order for consideration should set out the public benefit.

Where a compulsory purchase order has been confirmed by ministers, there is a six week period, beginning from the date that the public body first publishes notice of the confirmation of the order, in which the validity of the order can be challenged in the Court of Session. The challenge may only be made on the grounds of the lawfulness, rather than the merits, of the decision.

The creation, improvement, upgrading or alteration of forestry roads is principally controlled by the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999.

In “sensitive areas” any person wishing to undertake any work of this nature should apply to Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) for a determination as to whether the project is likely to have a significant impact on the environment and therefore whether it requires regulatory consent, i.e. whether a full environmental impact assessment must be undertaken. “Sensitive areas” are defined as:

(a) National Nature Reserves or Sites of Special Scientific Interest;

(b) National Parks;

(c) World Heritage Sites;

(d) Scheduled Ancient Monuments;

(e) Areas of Outstanding National Beauty;

(f) Natural Heritage of National Scenic Areas;

(g) A site designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or identified as a candidate SAC, and

(h) A site classified or proposed as a Special Protection Area.

Outwith sensitive areas, projects where the area involved covers less than one hectare do not require a determination from FCS as to whether regulatory consent is required. All projects covering an area of one hectare or more require a determination of whether consent is required from FCS.

However, in the vast majority of cases work of this nature will also form part of a new woodland creation project, or a long-term management plan/forest design plan, which will either require the approval of FCS before grant aid can be obtained, or be linked to an application for a felling licence, which requires the consent of FCS.

I can confirm that the £120 million announced on 25 June 2012 for broadband improvements in the Highlands and Islands includes the £10 million previously committed to the region.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN ANSWER

29 June 2012

Index Heading: Governance and Communities

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how rural off-gas grid householders will qualify for the proposed national retrofit programme.

(S4W-08037)

Alex Neil: The National Retrofit Programme, which I announced in my statement to the Parliament on 6 June, will aim to offer a range of free or discounted heating and home insulation measures to people across Scotland who struggle with fuel poverty. The programme is to begin operation in the next financial year.

In line with recommendations from the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum the programme will aim to adopt an area based approach that prioritises fuel poverty and other deprivation factors with a central role for local authorities in its delivery. I expect that rural and off gas areas will feature in this approach. Support and measures provided will be tailored to home and household needs, based on a thorough assessment.

Rural off-gas grid householders may also benefit from two funds being launched later this year. The Warm Homes Fund will be targeted to fuel-poor communities and will support renewable energy projects aimed at reducing their household bills. Rural householders in areas not currently connected to the gas grid, but located close to it, may also be able to access additional support (in the form of loan funding) from our Gas Infill Fund, to help with the cost of connection.

In addition, the Microgeneration Strategy published last week sets out actions to increase the level of microgeneration in Scotland including a £5 million boost for renewable heat at a householder level via the Homes Renewables Loans Scheme.

Most of the estates or holdings were acquired between 1900 and 1939 for lease to smallholders and crofters for land settlement purposes. The acquisition of land took place under the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act 1897, the Small Landholders (Scotland) Acts 1886 and 1931, the Land Settlement (Scotland) Acts 1919 to 1934 and the Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948.

The above legislation conferred power on the Board of Agriculture (a forerunner to the Agriculture, Food and Rural Communities Directorate) to acquire land by agreement, purchase, lease, gift and compulsory purchase for occupation and settlement by crofters, cottars, fishermen and returning ex-servicemen. The main aim was to provide, equip and adapt land under favourable conditions and in less-congested districts of Scotland at that time.

These powers still exist, but Scottish ministers’ policy has been to sell and not purchase for some time.

The majority of estates were purchased by the Board of Agriculture and a purchase price was paid. Records of the purchase price are held by the Scottish Government’s Estates Management team.

The estimated net cost of administering the Scottish ministers’ crofting and agricultural estates is £143,000 per annum.