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This government remains fully committed to replacing the unfair council tax with a fairer tax based on ability to pay. Legislation will now be brought forward following elections in 2011.

There are already a number of measures available to encourage the uptake of microgeneration and energy efficiency technologies including:

Energy Saving Scotland advice centres;

Carbon Emission Reduction Target which subsidises energy efficiency measures;

Recent changes to permitted development to allow a wider range of microgeneration technologies to be fitted without the need for planning permission;

The introduction of the Home Report including an Energy Performance Certificate and an Energy Report with recommendations for measures to improve the energy performance of a home;

Grants for microgeneration technologies through the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables initiative;

The introduction of the new Energy Assistance Package from April 2009, and

The recent Budget announcement of £15 million of new money for an area-based Home Insulation Scheme.

One response from a local authority was amended in writing following the closure of the consultation. This accommodated amendments made by the Council''s Planning, Housing and Environment Committee which convened later than the closure date. The amended response was published with all non-confidential responses on the 23 November 2008.

Marine Scotland will integrate the existing roles and responsibilities of the Scottish Government Marine Directorate, Fisheries Research Services and the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. That includes their current decision-making functions in relation to marine nature conservation. To the extent that these responsibilities already rest with the Scottish Government or its agencies, this effectively maintains the status quo. Marine Scotland will continue to seek advice from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as appropriate. We plan further provisions and functions related to marine nature conservation under the Marine Bill.

Responsibility for some decisions relating to marine nature conservation “ for example, related to the question of any proceedings for alleged offences “ currently rests elsewhere. We have no plans to change that approach.

There is wide support for the establishment of such a body and for the improved marine management arrangements it will deliver. Awaiting the passage of the Marine Bill would have meant substantive delay in establishing new delivery arrangements. Establishing Marine Scotland now means it can begin to integrate existing functions and resources and prepare for new functions once the bill is enacted. It also has the benefit of ending uncertainty for the staff involved and others.

Establishing Marine Scotland as a delivery-orientated directorate of Scottish Government means it can deliver better integrated policy, science and other marine management functions than would be possible through a non-departmental public body. Combining marine expertise and resources will mean Marine Scotland is well placed to champion Scotland''s seas and play a key role in the UK, Europe and internationally. It is also more transparent through direct accountability to the Scottish Parliament and offers value for money.

A non-departmental body would be more complex and costly to establish and operate and has the significant drawback of fragmentation of functions.

While there were differences of view on the most appropriate status for Marine Scotland, this is also the approach favoured by the largest group of respondents on the Marine Bill consultation who expressed a view on this issue.

The Scottish Government is responsible, on behalf of Scottish ministers, for the administration of fishing vessel licences in Scotland and Marine Scotland will be part of the Scottish Government. There is therefore effectively no substantive change in the planned responsibilities under Marine Scotland compared with the current position.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21890 on 23 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.

Following careful consideration, I announced on 9 February 2009 that Marine Scotland will be part of the Scottish Government.

Marine Scotland will develop and implement Scottish ministers'' policies on marine issues in Scottish seas. SNH is the Scottish Government''s statutory nature conservation adviser and its functions include provision of advice to ministers on the development and implementation of policies for, or affecting, the natural heritage of Scotland, including Scottish territorial waters. The Scottish Government has a duty under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 to have regard to any representations made by SNH on proposals for developments that are likely to have a significant effect on Natura 2000 sites in Scotland. We intend to retain SNH''s role as statutory adviser on nature conservation issues in territorial waters.

The agreement of 24 November 2008 between the Scottish ministers, other devolved administrations and the UK Government under the Joint Ministerial Committee will provide a statutory mechanism for the coordination of policy and actions between the UK administrations.

A UK Marine Policy Statement will be developed by the Scottish ministers, other devolved administrations and the UK Government to set out the high-level objectives for the UK marine area.

When the Scottish ministers adopt the UK Marine Policy Statement, Marine Scotland and other Scottish public authorities will have a duty to have regard to this in carrying out their functions.