Scottish Parliament e-Brief
Issue 102, 18th February 2002
SECTION 1 - BUSINESS THIS WEEK
Parliament is in recess. Normal business resumes next week.
SECTION 2 - NEWS
COMMISSIONER FOR PUBLIC
APPOINTMENTS - CONSULTATION PUBLISHED
The consultation paper inviting views on proposals for a Scottish
Commissioner for Public Appointments has been issued by the
Scottish Executive.
The proposals – announced last month – are aimed at increasing Parliamentary involvement and ensuring greater independent scrutiny of the public appointments system. The Commissioner would be appointed by The Queen on the recommendation of Parliament to oversee the public appointments system.
The consultation paper invites views on proposals for the creation of a Scottish Commissioner for Public Appointments which will form part of the Public Appointments and Public Bodies (Scotland) Bill to be introduced in the Parliament as soon as possible. The closing date for comments is 11th April 2002.
REPORT ON ENERGY POLICY REVIEW
The report of the Energy Review, examining the future of UK
energy policy, was published last Thursday.
The energy efficiency aspects of the review and the emphasis on renewable energy have been welcomed by Scottish Executive Ministers and the Executive will be considering what the longer term renewable energy target should be in Scotland.
The Energy Review has been published by the Cabinet Office and is available on www.piu.gov.uk
As energy policy is a reserved matter, the Energy Review was carried out by the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) of the UK Cabinet Office. The result is a report to the UK Government, which expects to respond by way of an Energy White Paper in the autumn.
The Report points out that several key areas within energy policy are devolved to the Executive, including the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy, and consents for new power stations, electricity lines and gas pipelines. The Report recommends that the Scottish Executive should remain fully involved in the development of energy policy.
Executive officials worked closely with members of the PIU on energy issues of direct relevance to Scotland, particularly the scope for a huge increase in the production of renewable energy, and the Executive submitted 2 papers to the Review. In view of the recommendations for new targets for renewable energy in 2020, the Executive expects to consider this issue in the near future.
SECTION 3 - NOTES ON THIS WEEK’S CHAMBER BUSINESS
Parliament is in recess.
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