Parliamentary questions
Sarah Boyack
2,373 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
27 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what policies it has in place to promote the development of electric vehicles.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: In recent months, the First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary, the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism and I have visited key Scottish manufacturers of low emission vehicles, electric vehicle batteries and other alternative fuels.</p> <p >We welcome t…
12 Feb 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in helping to facilitate the adoption of biomass boilers.
Answer · Jim Mather: Good progress is being made. We offer support to a wide range of organisations, both public and private and at an individual household level to assist with the installation of biomass boilers.</p> <p >The Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiat…
5 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the draft proposals for the permitted development rights for domestic microgeneration equipment have changed from those outlined in the consultation paper.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Order before Parliament has changed from the draft outlined in the consultation paper including:</p> <p >Thresholds have been made less restrictive, for example the projection of solar panels above the roof plane has been increased from 150mm to 200mm a…
5 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what key issues arose from its consultation on Permitted Development Rights for Domestic Microgeneration Equipment.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The key issues raised in response to the 26 questions posed in the consultation paper can be seen in the Summary of Consultation Responses. This can be viewed on the government website at <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/02/06145853/0">ht…
5 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses it received to its consultation on Permitted Development Rights for Domestic Microgeneration Equipment.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Eighty-two responses were received to the consultation on permitted development rights for domestic micro-generation equipment. These can be viewed at <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/28101947/0">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publication…
5 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the responses to its consultation on Permitted Development Rights for Domestic Microgeneration Equipment, which closed on 12 May 2008.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The responses were published on the Scottish Government website in August 2008. A summary of the responses to the consultation on PD rights for domestic micro-generation equipment were published on Monday 9 February 2009. They can be viewed on the government …
5 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints about the (a) noise, (b) visual impact, (c) reflective glare and (d) smoke emissions of domestic microgeneration equipment have been received in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This information is not held centrally.</p>
5 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the proposed total generating capacity was of domestic microgeneration equipment that has been refused planning permission in each of the last five years, broken down by each local authority.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This information is not held centrally.</p>
5 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total generating capacity was of domestic microgeneration equipment that has received planning permission in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This information is not held centrally.</p>
5 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications for domestic microgeneration were (a) approved and (b) refused in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This information is not held centrally.</p>
5 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications to install domestic microgeneration equipment have been received in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This information is not held centrally.</p>
5 Feb 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial incentives it will bring forward for householders to stimulate a mass market for micro-renewable technology and energy efficiency measures.
Answer · Jim Mather: <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/sor0205-01.htm">http://www.scot…
4 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that wildlife and landscape are public goods.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Enjoyment of wildlife and landscape generally conform to standard definitions of public goods. For example, appreciation of scenery is freely available to all and the pleasure from the study of wildlife can be shared by all. However, there are also gains from…
4 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that maintaining economic activity in remote areas and food production are public goods.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Maintaining economic activity in remote areas and maintaining capacity to produce food are public goods that deliver social, economic and environmental benefits.</p>
4 Feb 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it accepts the definition of public goods commonly accepted in economic theory, that is non-rivalled (it can be consumed by one person without reducing the availability to others) and non-excludable (individuals cannot be prevented from using it).
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The standard definition in economic theory of a public good being non-rival and non-excludable provides a set of hypothetical criteria against which market failure can be assessed, and is one of five economic rationales for government intervention. Government…
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish ministers have discussed proposals concerning forestry with representatives of Rothschild since May 2007.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish ministers have met with representatives of Rothschild bank on two occasions to receive advice on forestry matters.</p>
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings its officials have had with representatives of Rothschild since May 2007 and what issues were discussed.
Answer · Michael Russell: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p>
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings Scottish ministers have had with representatives of Rothschild since May 2007 and what issues were discussed.
Answer · Michael Russell: Scottish ministers have met with representatives of Rothschild bank on two occasions in connection with ideas developed by Rothschilds with regard to the forestry sector.</p>
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will identify each resource, location and projected financial income expected from the £256,000 of accruing resources, for use of Scottish ministers through their Rural Affairs and the Environment portfolio, cited in Schedule 1 of the Budget (Scotland) (No.2) Bill.
Answer · John Swinney: Schedule 1 of the Budget (Scotland) (No. 2) Bill shows that accruing resources estimated at £256,000 will be available for use by Scottish ministers through their Rural Affairs and the Environment portfolio from the sale of land, buildings and equipment, and …
12 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what type of buildings or their subdivisions are exempt from the requirement to display an energy performance certificate under the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I have to advise that I am not in a position to interpret the legislation that covers Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in Scotland. Interpretation in the first instance is the responsibility of the local authorities and ultimately could be a matter for …
12 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, when a portion of a building is leased out, an energy performance certificate (EPC) is required under the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008 and, if so, whether the EPC should refer to the portion of the building leased out or to the building as a whole.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-19623 on 27 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/Apps…
12 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, when an individual room within a building is leased out, an energy performance certificate (EPC) is required under the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008 and, if so, whether the EPC should refer to the individual room or to the building as a whole.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I have to advise that I am not in a position to interpret the legislation that covers Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in Scotland. Interpretation in the first instance is the responsibility of the local authorities and ultimately could be a matter for …
12 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list its meetings with City of Edinburgh Council since December 2007 regarding the Forth Replacement Crossing, also showing what was discussed.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The following meetings have been held with officials from the City of Edinburgh Council to discuss the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC):</p> <p >6 March 2008, Stakeholder Briefing Session to provide project update following decision to proceed with cable st…
12 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list its meetings with SEStran since December 2007 regarding the Forth Replacement Crossing, also showing what was discussed.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The following meetings were held with SEStran to discuss the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC):</p> <p >6 March 2008, Stakeholder Briefing Session to provide project update following decision to proceed with cable stayed bridge and to discuss stakeholder eng…
12 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list its meetings with City of Edinburgh Council since December 2007 regarding the use of the Forth Road Bridge for public transport, also showing what was discussed.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The following meetings were held with officials from the City of Edinburgh Council to discuss developments with the Forth Replacement Crossing, including the use of the Forth Road Bridge (FRB) for public transport:</p> <p >30 October 2008, meeting to discus…
12 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list its meetings with SEStran since December 2007 regarding the use of the Forth Road Bridge for public transport, also showing what was discussed.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The following meetings were held with SEStran to discuss developments with the Forth Replacement Crossing, including the use of the Forth Road Bridge (FRB) for public transport:</p> <p >21 October 2008, meeting to discuss refined strategy including the use …
4 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what provision there is in the single outcome agreement for the delivery of community education facilities in Edinburgh.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The City of Edinburgh Single Outcome Agreement commits the City Council and its partners to a series of important local outcomes related to their policy priorities which include:</p> <p >The protection of children and vulnerable adults and early interventio…
4 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of budget cuts by City of Edinburgh Council, whether it is aware of the pressure experienced by those delivering frontline services in the voluntary and statutory sector.
Answer · John Swinney: The concordat between Scottish Government and COSLA established a new way of working based upon mutual respect, trust and partnership. The concordat makes it clear that it is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate resources on the basis of loc…
4 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of budget cuts by City of Edinburgh Council, what action it proposes to alleviate the pressure on human and financial resources experienced by community centres and similar community services.
Answer · John Swinney: The concordat between Scottish Government and COSLA established a new way of working based upon mutual respect, trust and partnership. The concordat makes it clear that it is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate resources on the basis of loc…
1 Dec 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the Air Quality Screening Tool for Biomass Combustion in Scotland as identified in the report prepared for the Scottish Government entitled Measurements and Modelling of Fine Particulate Emission (PM10 and PM2.5) from Wood-Burning Biomass Boilers provides an appr…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Yes, the screening tool developed in the report is being incorporated into technical guidance for air quality reporting for local authorities to determine the cumulative impact of biomass boilers on fine particulate matter levels in urban areas. It can also b…