Sarah Boyack

10 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether, following Audit Scotland's 2013 report, Renewable energy, it monitors the investment in the economy by the renewable energy industry and, if so, what the value is of that investment.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Scottish Renewables has estimated that Scotland’s renewable energy sector delivered around £1.04 billion of capital investment in 2014. Further information is available on the Scottish Renewables website at the following link: https://www.scottishrenewables.c…

10 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much private sector investment there was in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 in projects that received public funding.

Answer · Keith Brown: The Draft Budget for 2015-16 sets out the level of private sector investment in the non-profit distributing pipeline, including projects being taken forward through the hub programme.

10 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has estimated the range of public sector funding needed to (a) attract private sector investment and (b) meet its objectives for renewable energy by 2020, as recommended by Audit Scotland in its 2013 report, Renewable energy.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government provides a range of funding to initiate and support renewable energy projects, to encourage technology development, and to stimulate private sector investment. For example, we have made over £50 million available for community and loca…

10 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much the offshore wind industry has invested to develop port and near-port manufacturing locations for marine wind turbines and related industrial developments since the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund was introduced.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The offshore wind industry has not yet reached sufficient scale to trigger a requirement for a new port or near port manufacturing location in Scotland.

10 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many port and near-port manufacturing locations have been developed for marine wind turbines and related industrial developments since the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund was introduced.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Very limited demand to date has emerged from the emerging offshore wind industry for new port or near-port manufacturing locations in Europe or the UK. No new port or near port manufacturing locations have been developed in Scotland where to date it has been …

10 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund has contributed to the economy.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: An overall appraisal of the economic impacts associated with the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund has not been undertaken yet as many of the associated projects are still underway.

10 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been created as a result of the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: An overall appraisal of the economic impacts associated with the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund has not been undertaken yet as many of the associated projects are still underway.

10 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund has been spent.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Since its launch in November 2010, £10.9 million of funding support has been committed under the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund (NRIF). This has supported the development of the National Offshore Wind Test Centre at Hunterston, an offshore wind test …

10 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it will pay (a) KPMG, (b) AECOM and (c) Ramboll Environ UK for research into fracking and when each piece of research will be completed.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has awarded the following research contracts relating to unconventional oil and gas: ‘Understanding and monitoring induced seismic activity’ will be undertaken by The British Geological Survey. The value for this work is £41,994. ‘De…

1 Mar 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what Barnett consequentials there will be as a result of the UK Government’s decision to access the European Union Solidarity Fund.

Answer · John Swinney: The UK Government’s decision to access the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) will result in no Barnett consequentials as the EUSF would provide money that would be out of scope of Barnett. Scottish costs were included in the application which the UK Gover…

6 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether local authorities will be required to pay landfill tax as a result of the clear up following recent flooding incidents and, if so, what estimate it has made of the cost.

Answer · John Swinney: The material that local authorities send to landfill will attract landfill tax, including any disposals arising from the recent flooding events. The Scottish Government has provided a £16 million aid package in response to the flooding, principally providing …

29 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware that the contents of the Museum of Fire in Edinburgh will be put into storage when it is closed in May 2016 and what its position is on the reported lack of a plan to reopen it in Edinburgh.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has no plans to put the Museum of Fire collection in storage. The SFRS is committed to finding a new home for the collection in Edinburgh and is currently in discussion with the City of Edinburgh Council and Museums…

28 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the cost would be to electricity consumers in Scotland of the Scottish Government refusing to agree to the proposed closure of the renewables obligation in Scotland in the event of its being transferred the power to do so.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29562 on 9 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…

28 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions it had and (b) agreement was reached with the UK Government before losing the power to close the renewables obligation in respect of electricity generated by onshore wind.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29562 on 9 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…

28 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it was consulted before it lost the power to close the renewables obligation in respect of electricity generated by onshore wind.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29562 on 9 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary…

28 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it lost the power to close the renewables obligation in respect of electricity generated by onshore wind.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: UK Ministers took powers in the Energy Act 2013 to close the renewables obligation across Great Britain to all new capacity. The UK Government lodged an amendment to the Energy Bill with no prior consultation with the Scottish Government or Scottish Parliamen…

22 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the restatement and amendment of the law relating to allotments in Part 9 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, whether local authorities will retain the ability to compulsorily purchase land for the purpose of providing allotments.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: Powers for compulsory purchase of land for the provision of allotments are not included within the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and local authorities will not be able to purchase land for allotments compulsorily once Part 9 of this Act has been i…

22 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what content on (a) human rights law and (b) its human rights obligations is included in the induction and professional development programmes for its civil servants who (i) are engaged in policy development and (ii) provide legal services for ministers.

Answer · Alex Neil: All new staff recruited by the Scottish Government participate in a corporate induction programme that introduces them to the core values of the Scottish Government and gives them the opportunity to explore how these values, including our commitment to human …

15 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the new chairperson of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: Ministers confirmed formally the appointment of Bob Downes as Chair of the Board of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and of Martin Hill as a board member, on 15 January 2016. Further details are available at http://www.appointed-for-scotland.org/ne…

13 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish an update of the rate of progress of single farm payments in light of the reports that there have been delays in making these.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The total number of basic payments made to farmers and crofters by Wednesday 24 February 2016 was 8,846 (49%). The Scottish Government has agreed to send regular updates on progress to the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee.

13 Jan 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed social care with the City of Edinburgh Council.

8 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comments by Aileen McLeod on 9 June 2015 that “the Cabinet has agreed to embed climate change in this autumn’s budget process” (Official Report, c. 59) and 27 October 2015 that “we will ensure that climate change is a top priority through a Cabinet agreement to embed it …

Answer · Aileen McLeod: The Draft Budget 2016-17 embeds climate change within relevant portfolios, including support for renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable travel, waste reduction and natural carbon capture. The principal spending commitments were published in Draft Bu…

8 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the timetable for the (a) moratorium on underground coal gasification (UCG) and (b) independent review of UCG that is to be conducted by Professor Campbell Gemmell.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government announced a moratorium on UCG on 8 October 2015. The moratorium will create the opportunity to take forward a period of evidence-gathering. The independent examination of the issues and evidence surrounding UCG which is being led by Pr…

8 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the independent review of underground coal gasification (UCG) that is to be conducted by Professor Campbell Gemmell will include (a) public stakeholder workshops and consultation and (b) an assessment of the impact of UCG on (i) public health, (ii) transport, (iii) decommissionin…

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The independent examination of the issues and evidence surrounding UCG, led by Professor Campbell Gemmell, will draw on published sources of information, expert input and community views to help the Scottish Government formulate future policies or actions. To…

7 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ScotRail Alliance and Transport Scotland to confirm the structural integrity of bridges on trunk roads and main rail lines as part of winter resilience planning.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Discussions have taken place with the ScotRail Alliance and Transport Scotland regarding integrity of bridges. The ScotRail Alliance and the road operating companies have both confirmed that their winter resilience plans are in place and these cover bridges o…

7 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the operation of the (a) West Coast Main Line and (b) Lamington Viaduct was included in its winter resilience planning.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The West Coast Main Line, including Lamington Viaduct, is included within Network Rail's winter resilience planning. There were no concerns highlighted with this or any other structure prior to storm Frank.

5 Jan 2016 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will conduct a review of flood defences in conjunction with local authorities in light of this winter’s flooding incidents.

27 Nov 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) funding and (b) staffing has been allocated to conducting the public health impact assessment in respect of the moratorium on unconventional gas extraction and fracking.

Answer · Maureen Watt: The public health impact assessment on unconventional oil and gas extraction is an independent piece of work being delivered by Health Protection Scotland. Full details of the funding which will be provided have not yet been finalised, but will cover the addi…

27 Nov 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the (a) schedule, (b) agendas, (c) list of spokespeople in attendance and (d) recorded attendance of stakeholder workshop meetings to facilitate consultation on the public health impact assessment in respect of the moratorium on unconventional gas extraction and f…

Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The public health impact assessment on unconventional oil and gas extraction is an independent piece of work being delivered by Health Protection Scotland. Health Protection Scotland has published infor…

26 Nov 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) college courses and (b) apprenticeship places specialise in training for the (i) energy efficiency and (ii) low-carbon sector.

Answer · Annabelle Ewing: Data on the number of college courses specialising in training for the (i) energy efficiency and (ii) low-carbon sector is not held centrally. The Scottish Funding Council is responsible for collecting data on college students and courses in Scotland. I will …