Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20460 on 3 March 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.

The information requested is not held centrally.

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.

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.

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

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 responses were published on the Scottish Government website in August 2008. A summary of the responses to the consultation on PD rights for domestic micro-generation equipment were published on Monday 9 February 2009. They can be viewed on the government website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2008/08/28101947/0.

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.