Phil Gallie

31 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what effect its 18% renewable energy target by 2010 will have on the renewables obligation buy-out and whether it will disadvantage the consumer or Scottish-based generating companies, given the target of 10% set by the UK Government.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Our target has no effect on the buy-out fund, nor does it disadvantage either consumers or Scottish based generating companies. The size of the buy-out fund is determined solely by the level of the obligation on designated electricity suppliers and the buy-ou…

31 Jan 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to consumers has been of the renewables obligation buy-out in each year since April 2002.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Total payments to the buy-out fund by designated electricity suppliers in respect of the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) for the obligation periods thus far are as follows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td> <p>2002-03</p> </td> <…

8 Dec 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to replace the loss of secure places for serious young offenders following the closure of Kerelaw School.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: As the member will be aware, Kerelaw School and Kerelaw Secure Unit are separate entities.</p><p>By 2007, Kerelaw Secure Unit was expected to provide 12 secure places in total.  Those places will now be provided between St Philips School and The Good Shepherd…

23 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce a single application form for cross-border local authority European Leader Plus projects.

Answer · Allan Wilson: We have no plans to impose a single application form for joint projects. Local circumstances differ and joint projects can extend to other UK or EU groups. Scottish Executive officials have worked with local action groups on a common form for joint projects. …

19 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has carried out, in setting renewable generation targets, into the current circumstances surrounding wind generation in Denmark and Germany.

Answer · Jim Wallace: We have not undertaken any specific study, although we keep up-to-date in all important areas of renewable energy developments.</p>

19 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any calculations it has carried out in respect of the saving of CO2 emissions as a consequence of the 2010 and 2020 renewable energy targets.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Climate Change Programme is being revised and we expect it to be published by June next year. This document will cover all related Scottish policies, and we intend to include calculations for CO₂ savings for renewable energy.</p>

19 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what savings in CO2 emissions it has calculated in setting renewable generation targets and whether it has taken account of spinning reserve emissions.

Answer · Jim Wallace: CO₂ emissions savings could be up to 16 million tonnes by 2020, if the targets are met in full. The actual savings would depend on which fuels are displaced by renewables. Spinning reserve was not taken into account.</p>

19 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what level of spinning reserve it has calculated in setting renewable generation targets to guarantee security of supply at existing levels.

Answer · Jim Wallace: No such calculations have been made.</p>

19 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has established the maximum level of wind generation capacity as a percentage of total available generation capacity that will allow the operators of the grid system to guarantee security of supply at existing levels.

Answer · Jim Wallace: No. However, we have commissioned a study, being carried out by the University of Edinburgh in conjunction with the Scottish grid owners, which will enable an understanding of the full implications to the electricity network of the growth in, primarily interm…

19 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had, and is currently having, with National Grid Transco before setting renewable targets.

Answer · Jim Wallace: We discuss network infrastructure issues in relation to the UK renewables targets with all of the transmission companies, including NGT, through the aegis of the Transmission Issues Working Group.</p>

11 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that any research carried out on kinship care will be published prior to any further legislation on child care being implemented.

Answer · Euan Robson: The Social Work Services Inspectorate has commissioned research into kinship care in Scotland as part of a wider review of services for looked after children. The research will be published as soon as it has been received by ministers and the Executive will c…

11 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out on kinship care.

Answer · Euan Robson: The Social Work Services Inspectorate has commissioned research into kinship care in Scotland as part of a wider review of services for looked after children. The research will be published as soon as it has been received by ministers.</p>

10 Nov 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what area of land is designated for restoration at Upper Beoch through sewage sludge incorporation.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The area covered by the relevant waste management exemption is a single block covering the former opencast workings at Beoch, with a radius of approximately one kilometre centred on grid reference NS 5140 0970.</p>

10 Nov 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will approve the use of Taser guns by police forces.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: We have supported the use of the Taser gun by police forces in Scotland as a less lethal alternative to a firearm under certain strict conditions. These include the provision of rigorous training for police firearms officers and that the circumstances of any …

1 Nov 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-10835 by Lewis Macdonald on 26 October 2004, whether it will respond with reference to the specific research referred to in the question and whether it will acknowledge that the visiting group report of the Research Organisation Assessment Exercise n…

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The visiting group undertaking the ROAE at the Hannah Research Institute assessed three programmes of research which were: Life and Death of the Cell, Lifestyle Metabolism and Health and CHARIS Food Research. The areas of research referred to in S2W-10835 wer…

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in approving the finalised Edinburgh and Lothians Structure Plan, it was satisfied that the number of units planned for the Blindwells New Settlement site in East Lothian was enough to provide the proposed community benefits, including a new primary school, secondary school provi…

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Scottish Executive Ministers approved the Edinburgh and the Lothians Structure Plan in June 2004. This included a strategic housing allocation of 1,600 units at Blindwells new settlement. This location was included in the Structure Plan following a developmen…

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is confident that land ownership issues in respect of the land at the Blindwells Development Site in East Lothian will be resolved and that the area will be developable.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Land ownership issues in respect of the Blindwells site are a matter for the East Lothian Council.</p>

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with East Lothian Council&#146;s arrangements for the provision of secondary education at the Blindwells New Settlement site in East Lothian.

Answer · Peter Peacock: Decisions on school provision to meet new demand are for education authorities rather than the Scottish Executive. Accordingly, the Executive will have no involvement in arrangements which East Lothian Council may be considering for school provision at Blindw…

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it currently allocates for the water pumping operation at the site of the proposed Blindwells New Settlement in East Lothian that prevents the flooding of surrounding villages.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: This is an operational matter for Scottish Water.</p>

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the procedures for identifying new housing land, as set out in paragraph 47 of Scottish Planning Policy 3 Planning for Housing, have been adhered to and whether, in accordance with these procedures, the existing towns and villages within the Lothians including Drem, Prestonpans, T…

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Scottish Executive Ministers approved the Edinburgh and the Lothians Structure Plan in June 2004. This included a strategic housing allocation of 1,600 units at Blindwells new settlement. This location was included in the Structure Plan following a developmen…

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether paragraphs 29 and 52 of National Planning Policy Guideline : NPPG17 - Transport and Planning: April 1999, which state that the preferred location for development should be sites adjacent to railway stations, has been complied with in the identification of Blindwells New Settlement…

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Scottish ministers approved the Edinburgh and the Lothians Structure Plan in June 2004. This included a strategic housing allocation of 1,600 units at Blindwells new settlement. This location was included in the Structure Plan following a development options …

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money has been allocated for road improvements to the infrastructure surrounding the Blindwells New Settlement site in East Lothian.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: No public money has been allocated by the Scottish Executive for road improvements to the infrastructure surrounding the Blindwells New Settlement site in East Lothian.</p>

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Strategic Rail Authority with regard to the upgrading of the railway line adjacent to the Blindwells New Settlement site in East Lothian.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The railway line adjacent to the Blindwells New Settlement site in East Lothian is the east coast main line. Its enhancement is the responsibility of the Strategic Rail Authority. The Scottish Executive is in regular discussion withthe Strategic Rail Authorit…

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Strategic Rail Authority with regard to the building of a new railway station at the Blindwells New Settlement site in East Lothian.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: No discussions have been held with the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the provision of a railway station at the proposed Blindwells New Settlement site in East Lothian.</p>

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any instances whereby the procedures for the identification of land for development to meet housing requirements through the extension of existing settlements, as set out in Scottish Planning Policy 3 - Planning for Housing, have not been adhered to.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive does nothold this information centrally. It is up to the local authority to interpret nationalpolicies and ensure compliance on a case-by-case basis.</p>

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any instances whereby the procedures for the identification of land for development on infill sites, as set out in Scottish Planning Policy 3 - Planning for Housing, have not been adhered to.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive does not hold this information centrally. It is up to the local authority to interpret national policies and ensure compliance on a case-by-case basis.</p>

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any instances where the procedures to be followed for the identification of land for development on brownfield sites, as set out in Scottish Planning Policy 3 - Planning for Housing, have not been adhered to.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive does not hold this information centrally. It is up to the local authority to interpret national policies and ensure compliance on a case-by-case basis.</p>

6 Oct 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether East Lothian Council followed all the relevant procedures set out in Scottish Planning Policy 3 - Planning for Housing in determining the Blindwells New Settlement site.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Scottish ministers approved the Edinburgh and the Lothians Structure Plan in June 2004. This included a strategic housing allocation of 1600 units at Blindwells new settlement. This location was included in the Structure Plan following a development options s…

28 Sep 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why it differs from the conclusion agreed by a majority of the European and External Relations Committee in its 2nd Report in 2004 on European regional development funding that a proportion of at least 0.45% of EU-25 Gross National Income is needed to fund regional development across the …

Answer · Allan Wilson: We agree with the UK Government that the Commission’s proposed Financial Perspective – and the Structural and Cohesion Funds budget within that – is too high. It is important that the Structural Funds budget should focus on the poorest member states and gener…

21 Sep 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-10264 by Allan Wilson on 17 September 2004, whether research expertise and knowledge available at the Hannah Institute in Ayrshire is suitable for development work on subjects such as the health consequences of obesity, in light of previous research …

Answer · Allan Wilson: The expertise and knowledge available at the Hannah Research Institute may be suitable for development in some areas of research.</p><p>The draft strategy for agricultural, biological and related research identifies the key policy areas where the Scottish Exe…