Cathy Peattie

2 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to help local authorities meet the commitments in Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government supports the Sustainable Scotland Network, Scottish Climate Change Impacts Partnership and other organisations to provide assistance to local authorities in meeting their commitments in Scotland''s Climate Change Declaration. The Scott…

2 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have ensured that greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation measures are clearly incorporated into their new and existing strategies, plans and programmes, as committed to in Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration, and what carbon reductions are anticip…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This is a matter for the local authorities concerned. The information requested is not held centrally.</p>

2 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have produced a plan, with targets and timescales, to achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from their own operations, as committed to in Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration, and what annual carbon reductions will be achieved.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This is a matter for the local authorities concerned. The information requested is not held centrally.</p>

2 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the performance of local authorities against the commitments made in Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration, signed in 2007 by all 32 local authorities.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Through Scotland''s Climate Change Declaration, all of Scotland''s local authorities have committed themselves to take action, in partnership with the Scottish Government, on climate change. Annual statements of progress are available on the Sustainable Scotl…

26 Nov 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs will be lost in Scotland as a result of a minimum price per unit of alcohol set at (a) 40p, (b) 50p and (c) 60p.

Answer · John Swinney: We consider the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol will have a positive effect on employment and the economy as a whole.</p> <p >The results of the modelling that was undertaken by the University of Sheffield on behalf of the Scottish Govern…

21 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27014 by Jim Mather on 18 September 2009, on what date it expects to issue its thermal generation guidance and whether it expects this to be before or after the UK Government issues its guidance.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28764 on 9 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

21 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27005 by Jim Mather on 18 September 2009, in what way it expects its thermal generation guidance to contribute to meeting the target of 42% emissions reductions by 2020, as set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, and whether that guidance …

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government''s thermal generation guidance will set out the policy on the development of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) for both new and existing thermal power plants in Scotland. CCS is one of the low carbon emitting technologies that will be r…

21 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27005 by Jim Mather on 18 September 2009, whether the target of 42% emissions reductions by 2020, as set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and compared with 34% across the rest of the United Kingdom, is part of its considerations in final…

Answer · Jim Mather: Thermal generation guidance for Scotland will be influenced by both the targets set by the Climate Change (Scotland) Act and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) which sets a legally binding framework for emissions reductions across the EU for large emitters…

21 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-27011 by Jim Mather on 18 September 2009, how its policy on carbon capture readiness contributes to the target of 42% emissions reductions by 2020, as set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government''s Climate Change Delivery Plan describes four transformational changes needed by 2030 to ensure that Scotland is on the path to meeting its 2050 target of an 80% reduction in emissions (compared to 1990). One of these transformational…

21 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take prior to the publication of public body duty guidance, expected in 2011 under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, to ensure that climate change mitigation and adaptation are sufficiently prioritised by Scottish Water.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The directions placed on Scottish Water require Scottish Water to implement a wide range of measures in relation to Climate Change adaptation and mitigation by 2015 unless otherwise specified in the direction. Early next year, Scottish Water will submit to mi…

21 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that identifying climate change and adaptation as a Priority 2 (Desirable) objective for Scottish Water for 2010 to 2014 will limit Scottish Water’s ability to deliver on the public body duties to be introduced under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: As explained in my letter of 27 October 2009 to the Convener of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/917/0089248.pdf">www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/917/0089248.pdf</a>, the climate cha…

21 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what factors led to its identifying climate change and adaptation as a Priority 2 (Desirable) objective for Scottish Water for 2010 to 2014.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We expect Scottish Water to take account of climate change in every aspect of its investment programme, whether it be in the supply of drinking water or the treatment of sewage. One good example of this is the requirement to reduce levels of leakage in its wa…

21 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what factors it included in its consideration when setting Priority 1 and 2 objectives for Scottish Water for 2010 to 2014.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The main factors considered included: maintaining current levels of service, meeting the standards specified in new and existing legislation and the size of the investment programme. Further details of our considerations are given in my letter of 27 October 2…

22 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding has been given to promoting and developing facilities for the Antonine Wall since it became a World Heritage Site and how this money has been spent.

Answer · Michael Russell: Since the Antonine Wall was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in July 2008, the partnership group responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Site Management Plan (which includes Historic Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, the five local au…

10 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings there have been since January 2009 involving ministers to discuss its green jobs strategy; on what dates and what organisations were involved.

Answer · John Swinney: Ministers and officials engage on a frequent and on-going basis with a wide range of businesses, environmental groups, enterprise agencies and local authorities to ensure Scotland gains maximum economic benefit from the low carbon economy.</p> <p >In Februar…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration Procurement Scotland gives to the benefits of smaller contracts being awarded to local small and medium-sized suppliers.

Answer · John Swinney: In developing procurement strategies, Procurement Scotland engage with key stakeholders across Scotland - including suppliers and supply chain partners of all sizes. Additionally, an extensive analysis of cost, economic, social and environmental factors withi…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration Procurement Scotland gives, within the procurement process, to reducing the carbon footprint of suppliers.

Answer · John Swinney: In developing procurement strategies, Procurement Scotland engage with key stakeholders across Scotland - including suppliers and supply chain partners of all sizes. Additionally, an extensive analysis of cost, economic, social and environmental factors withi…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken by Procurement Scotland regarding companies fined for overcharging.

Answer · John Swinney: Procurement Scotland are not aware of any currently contracted suppliers accused or fined for overcharging. Their tendering, contract and price management processes have however been developed to mitigate the potential for overcharging. Any issues found would…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken by Procurement Scotland regarding companies accused of overcharging.

Answer · John Swinney: Procurement Scotland are not aware of any currently contracted suppliers accused or fined for overcharging. Their tendering, contract and price management processes have however been developed to mitigate the potential for overcharging. Any issues found would…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what safeguards are in place within Procurement Scotland to protect against overcharging.

Answer · John Swinney: Products and services contracted by Procurement Scotland are subject to competitive tender and, post award, to periodic market price comparisons to ensure they remain competitive through the life of the contract. Any changes to pricing must be approved by Pro…

30 Apr 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum level is specified by guidance for home contact by health visitors with children during their pre-school years.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Health for all Children (Hall 4) Guidance issued in April 2005 sets out the minimum programme of screening, surveillance and health promotion checks which every child should receive. The guidance does not stipulate a minimum level of home contact by health vi…

24 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual cost of epilepsy operations has been in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board. 

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A definitive group of procedures specifically attributable to the treatment of epilepsy is not available from central records.</p> <p >Information on the costs of epilepsy operations is not, therefore, available.</p>

24 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many epilepsy operations have been performed on (a) adults and (b) children in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board. 

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A definitive group of surgical procedures specifically attributable to the treatment of epilepsy is not available from central records.</p> <p >Discharge records for patients with a main diagnosis of epilepsy can contain a range of performed surgical procedu…

6 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will prioritise the infrastructure projects required to enable the national developments, in particular the upgrading of road and rail connections serving Grangemouth and Rosyth, as proposed in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18930 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2…

6 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons the expansion of Grangemouth, Scotland’s largest container port, was not explored thoroughly before the designation of a new port in Rosyth.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The designation of the Grangemouth Freight Hub as a national development in the Proposed National Planning Framework 2 supports the further development of port and freight-related activities at Grangemouth. The principle of port-related uses at Rosyth is alre…

6 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what alternative locations for additional container capacity were considered in formulating the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20715 on 2 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/B…

6 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why alternative locations for additional container capacity were not identified in the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The candidate national developments considered in the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the National Planning Framework 2 were proposals put forward by stakeholders which were sufficiently specified to allow a meaningful assessment to be undertaken.…

6 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what alternative locations were considered for additional container capacity to meet the perceived shortfall and what criteria were used to select the specific location of the proposed Port Babcock in Rosyth.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20709 on 2 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament…

6 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what evidence it disregarded the advice of the UK Government’s Ports Policy Division recommending that Rosyth should not become a national development

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We have received no representations from the UK Government on the status of Rosyth.</p>

6 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what projected size of increase in container capacity was used to justify the proposal for a new port.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answers to questions S3W-20109 and S3W-20711 on 2 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.sco…