Sarah Boyack

28 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plan or process has been put in place to ensure that Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and local enterprise companies contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in pursuance of section 1 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and further the conservati…

Answer · Michael Russell: All public bodiesin Scotland are subject to a duty under the NatureConservation (Scotland) Act 2004 to further biodiversityconservation in carrying out their functions. The Scottish Government producedguidance in 2005 to promote the duty and to encourage its …

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to invite bids for funding from the Environmental Justice Fund for 2008-09.

Answer · Michael Russell: Plans will be consideredonce the outcome of the forthcoming Spending Review is known.</p>

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be put in place to ensure that projects assisted under the Environmental Justice Fund can be satisfactorily completed even if unforeseen delays require spending to continue into 2008-09.

Answer · Michael Russell: We lookto managers to ensure that projects are completed in line with the terms of ourfinancial support. However, if exceptional and unforeseen circumstances arise whichresult in delay, we will look at each situation on a case-by-case basis.</p>

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that (a) there is close co-ordination between ministers on sustainable development and (b) all ministers drive forward action on climate change and meet targets, in light of the abolition of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Sustainable Scotland.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-4067 on 20 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the abolition of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Sustainable Scotland.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-4256 on 26 September 2007. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, thesearch facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the decision was made to abolish to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Sustainable Scotland and when this decision was publicly announced.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Structures inplace to support the delivery of an administration’s objectives will naturallycease at the end of that administration. It is for the new Cabinet to decide onany new structures which should be established. A Greener Scotland is one of the Governme…

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place to ensure that the proposals it will bring forward in the spending review meet the annual 3.1% annual greenhouse gas emissions cuts required to achieve its target of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and how this information will be commun…

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: We will use the spendingreview and other processes to set plans to achieve the government’s strategic objectives.The process includes reviewing proposals to ensure that they deliver, and will continueto deliver, the Scottish Government’s long-term objectives.…

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the effect on greenhouse gas emissions will be of each decision that it has announced since May 2007.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: In line with our commitmentto consult on a Scottish Climate Change Bill, including a long-term target of an80% reduction in emissions by 2050, we are taking steps to refine our approach toassessing the effect on emissions of new policy measures. In the meanti…

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken since May 2007 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help meet its target of an 80% reduction by 2050.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The statement to Parliamentin June by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth committed usto consult on a Scottish Climate Change Bill that will set a clear, long-term statutory framework to meet a proposed 80% emissions reductiontarget. We a…

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have been held between its officials and City of Edinburgh councillors, and on what dates and topics, since 16 May 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: Scottishministers and officials regularly meet representatives from councils, includingthe City of Edinburgh Council. Since 16 May 2007, there have been a number of such meetings with representativesfrom the City of Edinburgh Council covering a range of issue…

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have been held between Scottish ministers and City of Edinburgh council officials, and on what dates and topics, since 16 May 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: Scottishministers and officials regularly meet representatives from councils, includingthe City of Edinburgh Council. Since 16 May 2007, there have been a number of such meetings with representativesfrom the City of Edinburgh Council covering a range of issue…

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have been held between its officials and City of Edinburgh council officials, and on what dates and topics, since 16 May 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: Scottishministers and officials regularly meet representatives from councils, includingthe City of Edinburgh Council. Since 16 May 2007, there have been a number of such meetings with representativesfrom the City of Edinburgh Council covering a range of issue…

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have been held between Scottish ministers and City of Edinburgh councillors, and on what dates and topics, since 16 May 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: Scottishministers and officials regularly meet representatives from councils, includingthe City of Edinburgh Council. Since 16 May 2007, there have been a number of such meetings with representativesfrom the City of Edinburgh Council covering a range of issue…

12 Sep 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the second supplementary question to question S3F-125 by Alex Salmond on 6 September 2007 (Official Report c.1501), on what evidence the First Minister based his statement that “it is widely known that the so-called hit list was devised under a Labour Administrat…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: It has been widelyreported from mid-2006 through to early 2007 that the Labour Administration of theprevious City of Edinburgh Council was considering measures to deal with a budgetdeficit. These reports included reference to the effects of falling school rol…

16 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on peat bog restoration through Scottish Natural Heritage management schemes in each of the last five years.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Barnett Formulaconsequentials are for “public” funding. There are no Barnett Formulaconsequentials for “private” funding. Since student top up fees paid in England are “private” additional funding for universitiesthere are no Barnett consequentials allocated …

9 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Forth Ports plc to publish for consultation its appropriate assessment of the proposed ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Firth of Forth.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-1841 on 15 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.…

9 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from, or discussions it has had with, Scottish Natural Heritage since 28 June 2007 in relation to the proposed ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Firth of Forth.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-1843 on 16 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.…

9 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what correspondence or discussions it has had with Forth Ports plc since 28 June 2007 in relation to the proposed ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Firth of Forth.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The First Ministermet with representatives from Forth Ports on31 July 2007 and discussed a number of issues, including the ship-to-ship oil transferproposals in the Firth of Forth.</p>

9 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken since 28 June 2007, using its powers under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 as amended, to address the proposed ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Firth of Forth.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We continue to monitorprogress by Forth Ports in completing the Appropriate Assessment. As I explainedto Parliament, in the debate on 28 June 2007, the regulation of ship-to-ship oiltransfer is currently reserved to the UK Government under Section 130 of the …

1 Aug 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2103 by John Swinney on 30 July 2007, whether, as in past spending reviews, there will be any strategic cross-cutting priorities in the 2007 spending review and, if so, what these will be and, if climate change or sustainable development is not one o…

Answer · John Swinney: Strategic SpendingReview 2007 will focus on achieving the Government’s purpose and five strategicobjectives (wealthier and fairer; healthier; safer and stronger; smarter, and greener).Under the “greener” strategic objective, we will improve Scotland’s natural…

26 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the first round of grants to be awarded under the Energy Saving Scotland Boiler Scrappage Scheme.

Answer · John Swinney: (a) Council tax benefitis administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Estimates of thenumber of people entitled to council tax benefit are available only at the Great Britain level.</p><p>(b) DWP data on counciltax benefit recipients aged over…

26 Jul 2007 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the first round of grants to be awarded under the Energy Saving Scotland Boiler Scrappage Scheme.

Answer · Michael Russell: As the independent environmental regulator, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) collaborates closely with Scottish Water throughout Scotland at both a local and national level. Regular liaison meetings take place and SEPA is closely involved bot…

23 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1057 by Michael Russell on 27 June 2007, whether it will include within its transposition provision the extension of the environmental liability directive to cover nationally-important wildlife and habitats, in light of the recommendations of the UK …

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-2304 answered on 10 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/we…

23 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1057 by Michael Russell on 27 June 2007, whether it agrees with the UK Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee that the UK Government’s proposals for the transposition of the EU environmental liability directive are unnecessarily m…

Answer · Michael Russell: It is for the UK Governmentto comment upon the conclusions and recommendations of the Environment, Foodand Rural Affairs Committee of the UK Parliament. Nonetheless, I am aware of them.</p><p>The Scottish Executiveconducted its own public consultation on tran…

23 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1057 by Michael Russell on 27 June 2007, whether it is aware of the UK Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s report, Implementation of the Environmental Liability Directive - Sixth Report of Session 2006–07.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-2304 on 10 August 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website the search facility for which can befound at: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.…

20 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from the City of Edinburgh Council or the Festival Theatre Trust in respect of the future of the Kings Theatre, Edinburgh, and, if so, how it responded.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government hasreceived no representations from either the City of Edinburgh Council or the Festival Theatre Trust concerning the future of the King’sTheatre, Edinburgh.</p>

20 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1420 by Stewart Stevenson on 20 July 2007, whether bus and tram options will be considered in the planning work for a new Forth crossing.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Options to include buses andtrams on the crossing are still under consideration as part of the on-goingplanning work.</p>

12 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will build in consideration of the implications of carbon emissions in the strategic spending review announced on 28 June 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: Along with my CabinetSecretary and Ministerial colleagues, I will be in dialogue with a range ofstakeholders over the summer to gather evidence and views on how we can use thestrategic spending review to set plans that will enable us to fulfil ourpurpose and …

12 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the implications of carbon emissions in the review of strategic transport projects.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic TransportProjects Review is being undertaken in accordance with the Scottish TransportAppraisal Guidance. Carbon emission is one of the performance indicators beingconsidered in the appraisal process.</p>

12 Jul 2007 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what weight it will give to carbon emissions when selecting the preferred option for the Forth crossing.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Carbon emissions will be oneof the factors considered when selecting the preferred option in accordancewith the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance.</p>