I can announce that the Scottish ministers have granted consent to this proposal in terms of section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Additionally this consent carries deemed planning permission in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

This announcement follows a lengthy consultation process which involved environmental groups, government bodies and members of the public. Following consultation with Stirling Council, conditions were attached to this consent to safeguard local and environmental interests.

I can announce that the Scottish ministers have granted consent on this proposal in terms of section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Additionally, this consent carries deemed planning permission in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

This announcement follows a lengthy consultation process which involved environmental groups, government bodies and members of the public. Following consultation with Highland Council, conditions were attached to this consent to safeguard local and environmental interests.

There are no plans for a national publicity campaign. However, 12 to 18 year olds are encouraged through the Dialogue Youth project to voluntarily take up the offer of a combined local authority/Young Scot card. Supporting materials underline to young people the value of these PASS accredited cards in providing proof of age when purchasing age restricted goods. Retailers are also encouraged to adopt a “no proof, no sale” approach to age-restricted sales.

There are no plans to introduce a national proof of age card. However, the Scottish Executive continues to support the development of the Dialogue Youth project and associated local authority/Young Scot card which is PASS accredited and, amongst other things, provides proof of age. The card will be rolled out to all local authority areas by the end of 2004.

The Scottish Executive is committed to tackling the causes of climate change and to ensuring that Scotland makes an equitable contribution to the UK Kyoto target. The white paper of June 2004, Scotland’s transport future, is a strategic document which sets out the principles which inform our transport policy; our objectives for transport; the major deliverables for the next 10 years, and changes to the delivery mechanisms at national and regional level for transport.

All significant transport projects are subject to a form of environmental assessment through the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG). The guidance provides advice to planners and decision-makers on the appraisal of transport projects where the Executive’s support or approval is required. One of the key criteria is the impact of the proposed transport project on the environment.  The Executive has also introduced regulations to comply with the UK commitments stemming from the EU Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). SEA is a systematic process for taking into account environmental concerns, including climate change, at the earliest stages of development of public sector plans and programmes, including those relating to transport. To implement the Partnership Agreement commitment on SEA, a SEA Bill is being progressed. The bill seeks to extend the scope of SEA to ensure that every public plan and programme with significant environmental implications will be assessed. STAG is currently being reviewed to ensure compliance with SEA.

The Executive supports a range of transport interventions, intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the Executive has commissioned research to help us develop new guidance for local authorities on road traffic reduction which will contribute towards the reduction of transport emissions. We are also putting significant resources in a wide range of measures, including major public transport infrastructure investment, which are intended to improve travel choices, encourage modal shift towards public transport, cycling and walking and to reduce road traffic growth and transport emissions. The Scottish Executive fully supports the UK Government Powering Future Vehicles strategy which promotes the development, introduction and take up of cleaner fuels and is funding programmes to help the market for cleaner, low carbon vehicles and new technologies.

We will evaluate transport policies as part of the formal review of the Scottish Climate Change Programme, due to commence later this year. The programme review will provide an opportunity for the Executive to consider whether new policies and measures are required, or if existing ones need to be strengthened.

Green belts fulfil a number of functions. For example, they can maintain the landscape setting of settlements, and they can also encourage the re-use of vacant or derelict urban land.

VisitScotland, Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board and the City of Edinburgh Council work together to promote Edinburgh as a world class destination. 2004 is proving to be a great year for visitors to the capital, and we wish to build on that partnership through the new tourism network to ensure that tourism in Edinburgh continues to grow strongly in the years ahead.

The updated policy on the decommissioning of the UK’s nuclear facilities was published today. Copies have been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 33737), and it is available on the Executive’s website at www.scotland.gov.uk.

At present, the SPCB doesnot maintain records of the percentage of companies providing this type ofinformation. However, tenderers’ submissions for SPCB contracts are assessedagainst relevant environmental and equalities criteria.

For example, companies are askedto provide evidence of independently accredited environmental managementsystems, e.g. ISO 14000 certification. Also, for items containing a significanttimber component (e.g. furniture), companies are asked to submit evidence thattimber is obtained from responsibly managed forests.

Even for low value/riskrequirements, tenderers are asked to provide a copy of their environmental policystatement, together with any environmental initiatives the company hasundertaken that would directly benefit the SPCB.

To support the SPCB’sEqualities in Procurement Policy, tenderers are also commonly asked to providedetails of their equal opportunities policy and detail what steps are taken toensure the delivery of equality of opportunity and treatment as both anemployer and service provider.

In addition, the SPCB iscurrently developing a set of policies and procedures to underpin itsresponsible purchasing initiative, encompassing professionalism and ethics,environment and sustainability and equalities and social justice.

The Executive does not routinely require such reports of its suppliers. Where appropriate and relevant to the nature of the contract, suppliers may be required to demonstrate that they have a recognised environmental management system, such as EMAS or ISO14001. In other cases, where appropriate, suppliers may be required to demonstrate that they, or their products, comply with recognised independently verified schemes, for example, Forestry Stewardship Council certificates and fair trade labels. Pre-qualification procedures for Executive contracts generally require the bidder to disclose any convictions for failure to comply with legislation, including social and environmental legislation.