To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to develop and promote the metropolitan region approach in order to stimulate and grow the economy.

The importance of metropolitan regions has been recognised by economic experts internationally, and is a concept to which Scottish Enterprise has given careful consideration.

A metropolitan region approach is also reflected in the proposed strategic development plans introduced by the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006. These will be required in the four city-region areas in and around Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen. Strategic Development Planning Authorities, involving the local authorities in each city-region, will be required to set out in their plans a vision for the development of their region, and a spatial strategy. They will also be required to prepare an action programme for its delivery. This should set a spatial planning framework for stimulating sustainable economic growth.