FREE CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS IN THE SCOTTISH ISLANDS

That this House welcomes the action taken by the Scottish government to clear the backlog of applications for central heating in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland and to ensure that all applicants who have been waiting four months or more will receive a free central heating system by 31 March 2009; further welcomes the allocation of an additional £10 million to the free central heating scheme by the Scottish government; and believes that this shows a clear commitment to tackling fuel poverty in island communities.