Malcolm questions the commitment of the Scottish Government to renewable energy

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Question on Domestic Energy Consumption Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab): Does the minister agree not only thatsmall-scale renewable energy technologies can play an important role in reducingdomestic energy consumption but that the 15 per cent renewables target for newdevelopments set out in Scottish planning policy 6, which was issued before theelection, can be important in expanding their use?

If so, why have the majority of local authorities not translatedthe target into their local plans, and why have they not received any supportor pressure from the Scottish Government to do so? Moreover, why is the ScottishGovernment dragging its heels on introducing permitted development rights formicrorenewables in existing buildings, despite independent advice received morethan a year ago that supported the policy? Stewart Maxwell: If the member can wait, he willsoon find out the answers to his questions. We are currently considering manyof those issues, and an announcement will be made very shortly. February 28th 2008, (Columns 6449-50)