Parliamentary questions
Sarah Boyack
2,373 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
18 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to issue guidance to local planning authorities on the issue of hydraulic fracturing for shale oil extraction.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: There are no current plans to issue specific guidance to planning authorities on hydraulic fracturing. Scottish Planning Policy does already address the derivation of gas from shale reservoirs and identifies a range of environmental, social and economic facto…
18 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any proposals under consideration for hydraulic fracturing for shale oil extraction in Scotland.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The regulatory process for activities which involve the use of hydraulic fracture techniques in Scotland require an application to be made to SEPA under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (CAR). To date there have been …
18 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has been asked to carry out an assessment of (a) the impact of hydraulic fracturing for shale oil extraction on groundwater and watercourses, (b) how local carbon impacts might be assessed and (c) any other associated environmental impact…
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The regulatory processes for activities which involve the use of hydraulic fracture techniques in Scotland require an application to be made to SEPA under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (CAR). SEPA carries out a ris…
18 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been done to evaluate the risks to the environment caused by hydraulic fracturing for shale oil extraction.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: As part of the local planning process hydraulic fracturing activities should be screened to determine if Environmental Impact Assessment, as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations, is required. If such assessment were considered to be …
18 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local planning authorities on the issue of hydraulic fracturing for shale oil extraction.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: A suite of licences, permits and permissions are required for operators to carry out hydraulic fracturing techniques in relation to shale or coalbed methane gas extraction activities. Permissions for this type of activity are sought by application processes …
18 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what risk assessment has been carried out on the impact of hydraulic fracturing for shale oil extraction on (a) groundwater and watercourses and (b) how local carbon impacts might be assessed.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: As part of the local planning process hydraulic fracturing activities should be screened to determine if Environmental Impact Assessment, as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations, is required. If such assessment is considered to be re…
9 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-34691 by John Swinney on 30 June 2010, whether it will publish details of the energy efficiency discount schemes offered by each local authority under the Local Government Finance Act 1992.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-03959 on 21 November 2011. 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/parliamenta…
9 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-34691 by John Swinney on 30 June 2010, how many (a) virgin loft insulation, (b) top-up loft insulation, (c) cavity wall insulation, (d) internal solid wall insulation, (e) external solid wall insulation, (f) boiler upgrade, (g) fuel switching, (h) in…
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-03959 on 21 November 2011. 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/parliamenta…
9 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-34691 by John Swinney on 30 June 2010, whether any energy efficiency discount schemes under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 require a householder to obtain an energy performance certificate and, if so, which ones.
Answer · John Swinney: The operation and administration of energy efficiency discount schemes is a matter for local authorities under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended). The Scottish Government, as required by the act, wil…
9 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-34691 by John Swinney on 30 June 2010, how energy efficiency discount schemes as defined by the Local Government Finance Act 1992 will interact with the UK Government's Green Deal and whether measures installed under the Green Deal will also be eligi…
Answer · John Swinney: The operation and administration of energy efficiency discount schemes is a matter for local authorities under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended). It will be for local authorities to consider whether…
9 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-34691 by John Swinney on 30 June 2010, how many energy efficiency measures have been installed by each local authority under the energy efficiency discount scheme under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 that would not otherwise have been installe…
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-03959 on 21 November 2011. 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/parliamenta…
9 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-34691 by John Swinney on 30 June 2010, how many properties that were eligible for council tax have been granted energy efficiency discounts under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in each month since September 2009, broken down by (a) local autho…
Answer · John Swinney: The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 placed a duty on local authorities to introduce a minimum £50 discount for council tax, where householders undertake efficiency improvements to their home. The Scottish Government, as required by the act, will report on…
9 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the (a) costs and (b) benefits of varying council tax rates based on the energy efficiency of a property.
Answer · John Swinney: The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 places a duty on local authorities to introduce a council tax discount scheme offering a minimum in-year reduction of £50 where householders undertake efficiency improvements to their home. The act means that any assessm…
9 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-34691 by John Swinney on 30 June 2010, how may tonnes of CO2 have been saved through energy efficiency measures installed under the energy efficiency discount schemes under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, also expressed as a percentage of dome…
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-03959 on 21 November 2011. 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/parliamenta…
9 Nov 2011 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the investigation of allegations of so-called hidden waiting lists in NHS Lothian.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I have received the initial findings and I am seeking further information on a number of issues from NHS Lothian. The final report will be placed in SPICe as soon as possible.
5 Oct 2011 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the 20,000 socially rented homes that were announced by the Minister for Housing and Transport on 6 October 2011 will be built in Edinburgh.
4 Oct 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the implementation of its year-on-year targets in relation to climate change and public procurement contracts.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires that the Scottish Ministers report whether the annual targets set for each year in the period 2010-50 have been met. The first of these reports, in respect of the 2010 target, will be published in 2012 once the …
4 Oct 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it uses its procurement process to help deliver its 42% carbon reduction target.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Sustainable Procurement Action Plan provides support on how procurement can contribute towards delivery of a low carbon economy. This includes the use of Government Buying Standards as the minimum specification requirement across a wide range of …
30 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the creation and operation of enterprise zones will comply with the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the habitats' regulations.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is considering the requirements for environmental assessment of the potential Enterprise Areas, under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. Consideration is also being given to the requirement for Habitats Regulations Appra…
30 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what lessons were learned from the former Inverclyde enterprise zone and how these might influence the Scottish Government's assessment of future such sites.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is aware of criticisms of the 1980s Enterprise Zone model which highlighted displacement of economic activity and jobs from elsewhere in the country to the enterprise zones and also the limited economic benefits delivered by capital ba…
30 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the potential impact of the creation of enterprise zones on (a) sites of special scientific interest and (b) designated wildlife sites
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Environmental and planning issues, including the potential for environmental impacts, are included in the criteria developed to evaluate the potential Enterprise Area sites. These criteria include the potential for effects on Sites of Special Scientific Inter…
30 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the potential environmental impact of the creation of enterprise zones.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Environmental and planning issues, including the potential for environmental impacts, are included in the criteria developed to evaluate the potential Enterprise Area sites. These criteria include the potential for effects on Sites of Special Scientific Inter…
29 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprenticeship placements have been allocated at colleges in the Lothians region in the last five years.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you.
29 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the employment destinations have been of those who have successfully completed a modern apprenticeship in the Lothians region in the last five years.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you.
29 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown by sector of modern apprenticeships in the Lothians region in the last five years.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you.
29 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what modern apprenticeship placements there have been in the Lothians region in the last five years.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you.
28 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will consult on the detail of the (a) 2013 and (b) 2016 changes to energy standards in building regulations.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: We intend to consult on any proposals for the 2013 energy standards in summer 2012. No date has been set for consultation on the 2016 energy standards.
28 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it gives to the construction industry to predict the cost implications of changes to energy standards in building regulations.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Research supporting the review of energy standards provides an indication of the potential cost of future standards. Research to inform the 2010 review was published in 2009. Research to inform the 2013 review will be published in 2012. There is industry stak…
28 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the impact that a failure to comply with the recommendation in A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland (The Sullivan Report) regarding the publication of energy standards in building regulations may have on building firms and others in the constructio…
Answer · Aileen Campbell: We have considered the recommendation that “future standards be set in advance”. We believe there is greater benefit in the approach currently taken, which signals the high level emissions reduction percentage around 16 months before the standards come into e…
28 Sep 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the impact that a failure to comply with the recommendation in A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland (The Sullivan Report) regarding the publication of energy standards in building regulations may have on the ability of building firms and others in …
Answer · Aileen Campbell: We have considered the recommendation that “future standards be set in advance”. We believe there is greater benefit in the approach currently taken, which signals the high level emissions reduction percentage around 16 months before the standards come into e…