Sarah Boyack

22 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will issue its consultation on the technical specifications surrounding the use of snares under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The consultation documentwill issue in due course.</p>

15 Jun 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Water has provided it with a satisfactory delivery plan for 2006-10.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Scottish Water submitted a newdelivery plan to the Executive on 26 May. The plan<i> </i>set out to the satisfactionof the Executive how Scottish Water will meet the objectives set by the Executivefor 2006-10, for improved standards for drinking water quality …

21 Apr 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether existing local government finance legislation would allow Scottish local authorities to introduce a council tax rebate scheme for householders who invest in energy efficiency measures, along the lines of the scheme introduced in England and Wales in partnership with local authorit…

Answer · George Lyon: There is no legislation in Scotland thatwould enable a local authority to implement such a scheme. We are currently awaitingthe report of the independent Local Government Finance Review Committee. Once theway forward on local taxation is known, we can come to…

20 Apr 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what predictions it has made about the impact on climate change of the policy options set out in its new consultation on Scotland's national transport strategy and when such predictions will be published.

Answer · Tavish Scott: An appraisal of potential newtransport policies to inform the final National Transport Strategy for Scotland is currentlybeing carried out and will include an estimate of the impact of particular policieson the environment. We are also undertaking a Strategic…

12 Apr 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what changes it will make to schools¿ procurement guidelines to ensure that they contribute to the Executive¿s Climate Change Programme objectives.

Answer · Robert Brown: The Executive’s Scottish ProcurementDirectorate provides advice on best practice procurement to local authorities inScotland, including guidance on sustainability. It is expected that local authorities,who are responsible for the procurement of schools, would…

5 Apr 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the stakeholder groups which currently have interests falling within the remit of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Environment and Rural AffairsDepartment utilises a range of stakeholder groups to support the work of the Department,and these are listed below. The remit of the groups varies according to the subjectmatter. In some cases members are appointed in their ow…

14 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following a reduction in Sustrans funding from £3.5 million in 2004-05 to £2 million for 2005-06, it considers that Sustrans is still able to complete 50 cycle project schemes in six months to a high standard and delivered on budget and in tight timescales.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I can confirm that Sustrans hasbeen awarded a grant of £2 million in 2005-06 for projects to improve the NationalCycle Network in Scotland. Sustrans submitted a progress report on 13 March andwith it confirmed that it is on schedule to complete all projects w…

13 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to follow the initiative of Elliot Morley MP, UK Minister of State for Climate Change and Environment, in offering householders council tax rebates of up to £100 if they take up energy efficiency measures.

Answer · George Lyon: We have no current plans to introduce a council tax rebate for energy efficient homes. We arecurrently awaiting the recommendations of the independent Local Government FinanceReview Committee into the future of local taxation. The committee’s report willbe pu…

13 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the £17 million scheme by the Department for Transport for six experimental cycle-friendly towns, it will implement a similar scheme in Scotland or use reward mechanisms to encourage partnerships to undertake similar projects.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Executive funding for cyclinginfrastructure projects within towns in Scotland is being provided through Cycling, Walking and SaferStreets allocations to local authorities as well as financial allocations to theRegional Transport Partnerships which can be used…

13 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-9677 by Nicol Stephen on 9 August 2004, which local authorities have approached it to discuss funding for cycle infrastructure projects and what the outcomes were.

Answer · Tavish Scott: No local authorities have approachedExecutive officials to discuss possible funding for major cycle infrastructure projectssince question S2W-9677, which was answered on 3 November 2005. The developmentand funding of such projects is now a matter for the stat…

13 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers guidance to local authorities and transport partnerships for applications for funding or match-funding for large-scale cycle infrastructure projects to be adequate, in light of the abolition of the Public Transport Fund.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Funding allocations for the sevenregional transport partnerships were announced on 15 December 2005, andstatutory guidance on regional transport strategies was published on 10 March 2006. Theregional transport partnerships will be responsible for determining …

13 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its target to double cycle use between 2002 and 2012, how it will respond to research findings by the Lothian Cycle campaign, Spokes, suggesting that cycle project expenditure in Scotland on current trends is likely to fall from 1.4% of total transport expenditure in 2004-05 …

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Executive will continue tosupport cycling through funding to local authorities and cycling organisations toassist them in delivering the facilities and infrastructure needed to encouragecycling. Local authorities were granted £8.65 million for cycling, wa…

13 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that regional transport partnerships make proper provision for cycle projects by specifying a minimum percentage of their funding to be used for that purpose or by rewarding partnerships that do include such schemes in their regional transport strategies.

22 Feb 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that the prosecution service is equipped to deal with complex cases.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: I am confident that the professional and dedicated staff within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have the appropriate expertise and are well equipped to deal effectively with complex cases. This was highlighted recently in the successful prosecu…

22 Feb 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits patients in Edinburgh can expect from the most recent announcement on NHS waiting times.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Patients in Edinburgh - andindeed across Scotland - are already receiving significant benefits as a resultof our policies to improve access and drive down waiting times. The national maximumwaiting times for first out-patient consultations and for hospital in…

17 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to complement the £6 million Climate Challenge Fund which was established by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to support local-level projects in England aimed at raising awareness and changing attitudes to climate change.

Answer · Ross Finnie: We will be reviewing our climate change communications in the light of Scotland’s Climate Change Programme, due to be published soon, and in the context of the sustainable development communications plan, due to be published this spring. As part of the review…

4 Jan 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether increased health service investment is helping to improve services.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Yes. Health services and patient care are improving. Waiting time targets are being met. Deaths from cancer, heart disease and stroke are coming down. People are living longer. There remain some real challenges to be met, and we will continue to increase inve…

21 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, given the deadlines for transposing the new EU Public Sector and Utilities Procurement Directives, whether it will publish its own separate and distinct social issues guidance in respect of the directives or whether it will copy the guidance currently being prepared by the Office of Gove…

Answer · Tom McCabe: I can confirm that the Executive intends to publish guidance on social issues in respect of the directives. Given that both Scotland and the rest of the UK operate under the same overarching framework of EU procurement law, the terms of the Executive’s guidel…

21 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why the draft regulations implementing the new EU Public Sector and Utilities Procurement Directives implement Articles 25 (sub-contracting) and 27 (obligations relating to taxes etc) as being optional and not mandatory.

Answer · Tom McCabe: These articles refer to information which prospective bidders may be requested to provide in the context of a procurement process. Making it a mandatory legal requirement that the information must be sought and provided by tenderers on every occasion might re…

21 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees that the new EU Public Sector and Utilities Directives do not simply clarify existing guidance but provide additional scope to undertake public procurement in such a way that achieves value for money whilst meeting social, employment and environmental challenges.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The new directives and implementing regulations do provide such additional scope in allowing contracts to be reserved for supported businesses.</p>

21 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why it has chosen to mirror the Office of Government Commerce’s implementation of the new EU Public Sector and Utilities Procurement Directives.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Executive’s approach to implementation was set out in the draft Scottish Regulations implementation of the Public Sector Procurement Directive 2004/18/EC and Utilities Directive 2004/17/EC. Essentially, our regulations are close to the Office of Governmen…

2 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce a similar scheme in Scotland to the new Low Carbon Building Programme funding scheme announced by the UK Minister of State for Energy.

Answer · Allan Wilson: We are working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry on their proposed Microgeneration Strategy and Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP). Linked to this, we propose to begin shortly, work to determine what might be an appropriate such strategy for…

2 Nov 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many fines have been issued for abuse of the Blue Badge scheme following the introduction of the right to inspect badges.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The information requested is not held centrally.</p>

19 Oct 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the provision of access for disabled people at Haymarket Station in Edinburgh.

Answer · Tavish Scott: We are discussing plans for accessibility improvements at Haymarket Station with Network Rail and First ScotRail and hope to agree plans shortly for taking forward accessibility works at the station. In addition, the City of Edinburgh Council has received fun…

21 Sep 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure sufficient supply of NHS staff in the fields of ophthalmology and audiology.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Last month wepublished a new framework for workforce planning that sets out the actions requiredat national, regional and NHS health board levels. Boards are required to developtheir specific workforce plans early next year.</p>

7 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the report of the public local inquiry into the Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The report of the public local inquiry has identified a number of shortcomings in the scheme and recommended modifications. As a result, ministers now propose modifications but will consider representations before making a final decision.</p> <p>As required b…

7 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish-based student income and expenditure survey will be published.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish survey on students income, expenditure and debt 2004-05 will be published in November 2005.</p>

5 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the third generation term maintenance contracts for management and maintenance of the Scottish trunk road network will include provision for the regular inspection and maintenance of those sections of cycle route which are located (a) adjacent to trunk roads and (b) within the tru…

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The information requested is not held centrally. It is for local authorities to determine their level of facility provision according to local needs and priorities and how best to fund facility development which may be under the new prudential regime for loca…

5 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the third generation term maintenance contracts for management and maintenance of the Scottish trunk road network will include provision for the regular inspection and maintenance of those sections of cycle route that are located (a) adjacent to trunk roads and (b) within the trun…

Answer · Tavish Scott: Provision for the regular inspection and maintenance of those cycle routes for which the Scottish Executives Roads Authority has been included in these contracts.</p>

17 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set in each year and in total from 2005 to 2010 and beyond to provide cavity wall insulation in houses with unfilled cavity walls.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We install cavity wall insulation through the Warm Deal and the central heating programme. We have not set targets for cavity wall installation, principally because these programmes are demand-led. The future of the Warm Deal and central heating programmes be…