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I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23524 on 11 May 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-23517 on 11 May 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.

Contributions towards the cost of insulation measures under the Home Insulation Scheme may be sought from landlords and/or tenants.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23507 on 11 May 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.

A range of external partners will play a role in the delivery of the Home Insulation Scheme. These include the Energy Saving Trust, which has been appointed by the Scottish Government as the managing agent for the scheme, energy companies, or their agents and installers. A provider or providers of benefits advice will also be sought. Other important stakeholders will include local councils, housing associations and other local partners.

The implementation of the Home Insulation Scheme will be evaluated with a view to informing the development of the scheme in subsequent years.

The areas in which the Home Insulation Scheme will be deployed in 2009-10 have not yet been selected.

The Scottish Government has used powers under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988 and Environmental Protection Act 1990 to appoint the Energy Saving Trust as the managing agent for the scheme. The Scottish Government, together with the Energy Saving Trust, will establish a suitable process to secure involvement of an energy company or companies to deliver measures that will contribute to their obligations under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT).

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23524 on 11 May 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.

We welcomed the UK Government''s ambition to insulate all cavities and lofts by 2015 (in the recent Heat and Energy Saving Strategy consultation), and indicated that we believe this will not be met in Scotland unless changes are made to the framework for the delivery of the Carbon Emissions Reduction target (CERT) and the obligation that supersedes it. The Home Insulation Scheme will contribute towards this ambition, and towards our own CO₂ reduction target, but the degree to which it can be achieved will partly depend on decisions made around the future of CERT.

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 in the 2009-10 Budget and 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.