Sarah Boyack

1 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considered the impact on jobs when devising the methodology for its carbon assessment of the draft budget 2010-11.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to questions S3W-27904 and S3W-27905 answered on the 26 October 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.sc…

1 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that government should seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing salaries and jobs.

Answer · John Swinney: High labour market participation and increased solidarity and cohesion, as well as environmental sustainability, are key targets for achieving the Government Purpose of sustainable economic growth. Reducing salaries has unpredictable impacts and could, throug…

1 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider reviewing its methodology for the carbon assessment of the draft budget 2010-11 so that it will encourage reduction of emissions through improved sustainability rather than by reducing job numbers.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27904 on 26 October 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…

1 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it took to ensure that its carbon assessment of the draft budget 2010-11 was calculated in such a way as to encourage reduction of emissions through improved sustainability rather than by reducing job numbers.

Answer · John Swinney: In addition to direct emissions associated with expenditure by the public sector, the assessment also includes the emissions associated with related increases in private consumption spending, termed induced emissions. Outputs from the assessment methodology d…

1 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what way its carbon assessment of the draft budget 2010-11 will encourage more sustainable ways of working in the public sector.

Answer · John Swinney: The carbon assessment of the draft budget provides, for the first time, an estimate of the consequences of government spending in terms of carbon emissions. The assessment highlights in which sectors of the economy the emissions associated with our spending a…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether section 68 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 would be applied to the disposal of property in Scotland owned by the UK Government.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Section 68 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 inserts section 46A into the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003. Section 46A lays down that on and after the day on which this section comes into force, it shall be competent to create a real burden in re…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) vacant and (b) underused buildings it and its agencies own.

Answer · John Swinney: There are presently two core Scottish Government office buildings that are vacant. Action is currently in hand with a view to their disposal. In terms of underused buildings, we are working to ensure that all parts of the Scottish Government have in place ass…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many properties it has disposed of in the last two years to which section 68 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 could have been applied.

Answer · John Swinney: No core Scottish Government-owned buildings, to which section 68 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 could have been applied, have been sold by the Scottish Government in the last two years.</p>

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will issue guidance to local authorities and others on the application of section 68 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: We are currently considering what guidance can be provided on this. There is existing guidance available on improving the environmental performance of buildings. This includes the Net Waste Tool, by the Waste and Resources Action Programme, <a href="http://ww…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its implementation plan is for section 68 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2009 (SSI 2009/341), section 68 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 will come into force on 1 April 2010. <a href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2009/ssi_20090341_e…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the European Union regarding transmission charges, given that the Renewables Directive states that “Member States shall ensure that the charging of transmission and distribution tariffs does not discriminate against electricity from renewable energy so…

Answer · Jim Mather: We have made a number of representations to National Grid, Ofgem and the UK Government on Article 16 of the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC. We are challenging how the existing locational charging approach for electricity grid access and use, which r…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to National Grid Plc on its policy on transmission charging considered to place generators in the north of Scotland at a competitive disadvantage.

Answer · Jim Mather: The existing transmission charging model applied by National Grid and Ofgem for electricity grid access and use results in energy generators in Scotland paying higher transmission charges than elsewhere in Britain.</p> <p >In November of 2008, the Scottish G…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has considered to enable Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission Ltd to commence building a new 132 kv line from the (a) north Caithness coast to Dounreay and (b) Orkney islands to Dounreay.

Answer · Jim Mather: Our <i >Second National Planning Framework</i> was published in June this year. Within this national framework, the development of individual electricity grid reinforcement and upgrade projects is for transmission system owners, and subject to detailed planni…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to bring forward electricity grid reinforcements in the Pentland Firth strategic growth area for marine renewables.

Answer · Jim Mather: Creating the appropriate grid infrastructure to support future renewable energy developments in the Pentland Firth and throughout Scotland is a priority for the Scottish Government. It is also a key recommendation of the <i >Marine Energy Roadmap</i>, publis…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has put in place to bring about the substantial reinforcements of the electricity transmission system needed to realise the potential of renewable energy sources, as identified in the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27792 on 6 October 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.parliamen…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Prison Service has stipulated the need for interpreting qualifications for those it employs to provide such services.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27780 on 21 October 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available o…

28 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions interpreters without specific interpreting qualifications have been provided by (a) the Scottish Prison Service or (b) its contractors.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >The SPS''s normal service provider''s interpreters have either a formal qualification or can evidence a minimum 1,000 hours of inte…

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider including in the national eligibility criteria for adult social care and waiting times specific information reminding local authorities of their duty under section 25 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 to provide care and support service…

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27069 on 17 September 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider reconfiguring the draft national eligibility criteria for adult social care and waiting times for personal and nursing care following the consultation period to take into account recent policy directions such as the National Guidance on Self-Directed Support and t…

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27069 on 17 September 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busine…

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to local authorities and NHS boards to continue the funding of preventative services for people with learning disabilities and their carers, given the emphasis on critical and substantial risk in the draft national eligibility criteria for adult social care and…

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government is producing guidance for local statutory organisations to support them in developing plans for learning disability services based on outcomes for service users. The guidance will support the role of anticipatory and preventative servi…

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the draft guidance on the national eligibility criteria for adult social care and waiting times for personal and nursing care will adversely impact on preventative services for disabled adults.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Draft guidance on a national framework for access and entitlement to services for all adult social care groups was issued to local authorities and key stakeholders for consultation on 26 May. Of the 43 responses to the consultation almost 75% raised concerns …

9 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution has had with the organisers of major cultural events regarding the need to reduce carbon emissions in organising such events.

Answer · Michael Russell : <i > This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0917-01.htm">http://www.scot…

8 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it plans to have with the City of Edinburgh Council concerning the council’s decision to suspend all approvals of pending direct payments for an indefinite period.

Answer · Shona Robison: The council has no plans to suspend all approvals for an indefinite period. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor this situation.</p>

8 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council concerning the council’s decision to suspend all approvals of pending direct payments for an indefinite period.

Answer · Shona Robison: I understand that Edinburgh City Council has not suspended all approvals for an indefinite period. I believe the council is taking a sensible approach that ensures that their self-directed support clients are effectively supported. It is important that they e…

8 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council in 2009 to identify any particular local obstacles preventing a more radical increase in the uptake of self-directed support, including consideration of the support mechanisms available to those accessing self-directed support.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government invited all local authorities separately to discuss local obstacles to self-directed support, gather input into a new strategy for increasing uptake and contribute to a review of current legislation. The Scottish Government has already…

8 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what grounds local authorities have for refusing to approve direct payments where applicants’ existing services are being retendered, the individuals have the capacity to consent and sufficient resources are available for such direct payments.

Answer · Shona Robison: The grounds for local authorities refusing direct payments should not depend on the reason for application, such as retendering exercises, but should be based on the criteria set out in existing legislation.</p>

8 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether its forthcoming guidance note on procurement will ensure that community care service users whose service is being retendered will be able to apply for and receive a direct payment, subject to an ability to consent.

Answer · Shona Robison: The forthcoming guidance on social care procurement will take account of the duty on local authorities to offer eligible individuals in receipt of a social work service a direct payment.</p>

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the Scottish Government’s and COSLA’s consultation on the draft national eligibility criteria for adult social care and waiting times for personal and nursing care gave consultees only six weeks in which to respond; when it will publish the responses to the consultation; w…

Answer · Shona Robison: The process of drafting comprehensive and clear guidance on a national framework for access and entitlement to services has been complex and time consuming. Draft guidance was issued to local authorities and key stakeholders on 26 May. To meet the agreed impl…

3 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a timetable for implementation of the measures contained in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson : <i > This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0903-01.htm">http://www.scot…

2 Sep 2009 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has put in place to assist local authorities dealing with flooding incidents such as those experienced last week.

Answer · Alex Salmond: <i >This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0910-01.htm">http://www.scot…