Consultations
ScotGov: Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has launched a consultation (closes on 13 January 2012) on plans to remove financial support for large-scale biomass electricity generators and increase it for tidal energy. The consultation on the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) (ROS) raises the possibility of a cap on the size of biomass plant which would receive support.
Smaller, more efficient biomass projects would continue to receive support, but large-scale electricity only stations, above a certain generating capacity, would no longer be eligible for support under the ROS. The consultation requests views on the level at which such a cap might be set.
WAG: Businessowners & interested parties are urged to take part (by 31 October2011) in a short questionnaire to help develop a business strategy to support micro-enterprises in Wales. The Task & Finish Group appointed by Business Minister Edwina Hart to advise on the development & implementation of a Micro-Business strategy for Wales is now gathering evidence.
HO: The public are being asked their views on whether to introduce a scheme for disclosing information about an individual’s history of domestic violence to a new partner. The consultation (closes on 13 January 2012) asks whether the protection of victims of domestic violence can be improved by the establishment of a national Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme and if such a scheme could work in practice.
MoD: The Ministry of Defence has started a period of public consultation (closes on 17 February 2012) on the options for dismantling nuclear-powered submarines that have left service with the Royal Navy. These include those that are in afloat storage at Devonport & Rosyth dockyards.
EU News: Small businesses around Europe are being harmed by rogue traders who use unfair practices, such as misleading advertising. The fraudsters hide behind national borders and exploit the vulnerability of companies – especially the small ones – when doing business in other EU countries.
To better protect them, the EC is launching a public consultation (closes on 16 December 2011) to gather more information from companies & others affected on the nature & scale of the unfair practices, including online scams. Following the consultation, the Commission will then assess how best to stop them.
