Parliamentary questions
Iain Gray
713 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the First Minister used the GDP figures that he quoted on 28 October 2007 for party political purposes.
Answer · John Swinney: The following statementwas made by a Scottish Government spokesperson on 29 October 2007 in relation to the information referred to by the FirstMinister:</p><p>“The Permanent Secretaryis completely satisfied that the information was not provided specifically …
5 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the GDP figures that the First Minister quoted on 28 October 2007 will be published.
Answer · John Swinney: Analysis on Scotland’s income per capita, with varying methods of accountingfor North Sea output, was placed in the Scottish ParliamentInformation Centre on 2 November 2007.</p>
2 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what detailed plans it has for efficiency savings from 2008 to 2011; what assessment it has made of the impact that such savings will have on public services, and when it intends to implement the savings.
Answer · John Swinney: As we have said onmany occasions before, we plan to deliver efficiency savings of at least 1.5% peryear in the period 2008-11. The detail is being informed by work on the Strategic Spending Review 2007. Detailed Efficiency Delivery Plans will be published in …
26 Sep 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop the role of public partnership forums as a mechanism for public engagement in community health partnerships.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Statutoryguidance issued to NHS boards in October 2004 required that Public PartnershipForums (PPFs) form a key component of all Community Health Partnership (CHP)Schemes of Establishment, building on existing networks and making best use oflocal systems.</p>…
12 Sep 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve access to NHS dentists in East Lothian.
Answer · Shona Robison: The responsibilityfor the provision of NHS dental services rests with the NHS board. We are supportingboards with a revised Scottish Dental Access Initiative that provides capital grantsfor new or expanded NHS dental practices.</p>
5 Sep 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address skills gaps in key industries.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The ScottishGovernment published its skills strategy on Monday 10 September and I wouldrefer the member to that publication, understanding current and projecteddemand for skills to prepare for further skills needs is one of the keyobjectives.</p>
23 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is any equivalent duty on Scottish local authorities to that which the Childcare Act 2006 will place on local authorities in England to secure sufficient childcare to enable parents to work or undertake education and training leading to work and, if not, what plans it has to…
Answer · Adam Ingram: There is no statutoryduty on Scottish local authorities to provide child care for parents wishing toenter employment, training or education. Under the existing Childcare Strategy,the responsibility for ensuring that there is sufficient childcare in the area f…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates the proportion of electricity supplied to the national grid from generation by (a) wave and (b) tidal sources was on 14 August 2007 and what its estimate is for such generation by 14 August 2008.
Answer · Jim Mather: Statistics relatingto electricity generated from renewable sources in Scotland are published by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.The most recently published figures are available at <ahref="http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file34201.pd…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates the installed renewable electricity generation capacity was on (a) 16 May and (b) 14 August 2007 (i) in total and (ii) by energy source.
Answer · Jim Mather: The following tablesare based on information provided by Scottish Renewables for technologies that qualifyfor support under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland).</p><p>Information for thespecific dates requested is not available.</p><p>Installed RenewablesCap…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the generating capacity was of onshore wind power projects awaiting consent or a decision of any other kind by ministers on 14 August 2007.
Answer · Jim Mather: On 14 August 2007, applications with a potential generating capacity of4.787giga watts of onshore wind capacity were being processed for determinationin due course by Scottish ministers.</p>
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which energy consents under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 have been (a) agreed and (b) rejected by ministers since 16 May 2007.
Answer · Jim Mather: Since 16 May 2007, both the Decarbonised Fuels project at Peterhead PowerStation and Inverlael hydro scheme have been approved by Scottish ministers (14<sup></sup>June and 4 July respectively). Scottish ministers refused an application forthe Corlick Hill/Dev…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what contacts ministers have had with BP between 16 May and 14 August 2007 (a) by telephone and (b) in face-to-face meetings, giving the dates of such contacts.
Answer · Jim Mather: I met with representativesof BP on the 25 June 2007 as part of a seminar I led on energy policy.</p><p>The First Ministermet with a representative of BP, among other companies, on 18 July 2007 to discuss carbon capture opportunities for Scotland and has had a…
17 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to complete the dualling of the A1 as far as the border between Scotland and England.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Future transport investmentpriorities on the motorway and trunk road network will be considered by the multi-modalStrategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) which is undertaking an objective, evidencebased, review of the existing performance and future requir…
16 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is committed to removing any planning obstacles that stand in the way of micro-generation and, if so, how and when it will do so.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The government intendsto consult in the autumn on extending permitted development rights to micro-renewableequipment.</p>
16 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that every new building meets the highest standards and has an element for renewable energy and, if so, how it will do so and how much it estimates that including an element of renewable energy will add to the cost of each new home.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I have asked Dr PaulStollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA) to answer.His response is as follows:</p><p>Revised energy standardswere introduced on 1 May 2007 for all new buildings and also existing buildingswhich are convert…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to roll out micro-renewables to government buildings and hospitals.
Answer · Jim Mather: The ScottishExecutive is currently working in partnership with the Carbon Trust through itsCarbon Management Programme to establish the feasibility of installingmicro-renewables at selected buildings on its core estate. Initial surveys havebeen completed for …
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether discussions have taken place with each local authority to assess suitable and appropriate sites for renewable generation in their areas, with full engagement with communities in this process, and how many appropriate sites have so far been identified.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The government believesthat <i>Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 6 – Renewable Energy</i> provides a soundnational policy context and that planning authorities should address the locationalaspects of renewable energy development, either by updating their local p…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when ministers expect that their early review of planning, including proposals to require local authorities to take account of renewable energy as part of their local planning process, as set out in the 2007 SNP election manifesto, will be completed.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The government believesthat <i>Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 6 – Renewable</i> <i>Energy</i> providesa sound national policy context and that planning authorities should address thelocational aspects of renewable energy development, either by updating their …
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers intend to consult on proposals to introduce a planning presumption requiring new buildings in Scotland to include sufficient renewable generation on-site to deliver between 20% and 50% of energy needs, as set out in the 2007 SNP manifesto and, if so, when that consultati…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Executive iscommitted to increasing thelevels of renewable energy generation as it has the potential to provide asustainable source of low carbon energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissionsfrom buildings. It will be part of a coherent approach to energy po…
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how and when ministers will remove any planning obstacles that stand in the way of micro-generation, as set out in a 2006 SNP press release entitled It’s Time for a Greener Scotland.
14 Aug 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that every new building meets the highest standards and has an element of renewable energy, as set out in a 2006 SNP press release entitled It’s Time for a Greener Scotland, and how much this element of renewable energy is expected to add to the cost of each new home.
3 Jul 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-1810 on 20 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website the search facility for which can befound at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…
3 Jul 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government is committedto improving the lives of children and young people affected by domestic abuse.In November 2007, we announced the continuation of the National Children’s ServicesWomen’s Aid Fund for the period 2008-09 to 2010-11. The Child…