Richard Lochhead

30 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has estimated the impact of the London Olympics on planned construction projects in Scotland in respect of (a) cost and (b) availability of construction workers and materials and, if so, what these estimates are and, if not, whether it intends to undertake such estimates.

Answer · Allan Wilson: A paper submitted jointly byCITB-ConstructionSkills and Summit Skills to the National Skills Forum in November2005 estimated that, at its peak in 2010, construction activity generated by theGames will account for 3.7% of total Greater London output in any one…

30 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated for the promotion of road safety in each police force area in each of the last five years, also expressed on a per capita basis.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Information is not availablein the format requested as no specific funding is allocated to police forcesfor the promotion of road safety. Decisions on the use of funding in each forceare an operational matter for individual chief constables.</p><p>The Scottis…

30 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many officers have been deployed on traffic-related duties in each of the last three years, broken down by police force and also expressed (a) as a ratio of all police officers and (b) on a per capita basis in each police force area and showing year-on-year changes.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: This information is not held centrally and is an operational matter for individual chief constables.</p>

21 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many empty homes there are in the (a) public and (b) private sector in each local authority area.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The following table gives theavailable information. Information is not held centrally on vacant private sectorstock.</p><p>The General Register Office forScotland provide annual estimates of the total number of occupied and unoccupiedproperties, derived from …

15 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners in each prison were sentenced for drug-related offences, including offences to fund drug habits (a) in total and (b) broken down by category of offence in each of the last five years, expressed also as a percentage of all prisoners in each category.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>(a) The available informationis given in the following table:</p><p>Number of Sentenced Prisonerson 30 June 2005 where the Main Offence was…

9 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it intends to make available for the Moray 2020 economic strategy and whether it will detail the funding streams to be made available.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Moray 2020 Strategy isbeing taken forward by local partners, including Highlands and IslandsEnterprise Moray and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The enterprise network’sfunding contribution to the strategy is an operational matter for Highlands andIslan…

9 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected expenditure by local authorities on preparing business cases for PPP projects is in 2006 and how much was spent on preparing such business cases in each year since 1999, also broken down by local authority.

Answer · Tom McCabe: This is a matter for local authoritieswhen considering PPP projects. The information requested is not held centrally.</p>

8 Nov 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome has been of any representations it has made about the future of the post office network and what assessment it has made of how any decision to close local post offices is likely to impact on community development priorities.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: UK Government Ministers have yet to make final decisionson the future of the Post Office Network. The Executive will continue to advocatesolutions sensitive to Scottish circumstances, taking full account of the localeconomic and social value of each post offi…

2 Nov 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current level of surplus held by Ofgem from the Scottish fossil fuel levy, yet to be transferred to the Scottish Consolidated Fund, is.

Answer · Allan Wilson: As of 16 October 2006, thefossil fuel levy surplus stood at £38,697,234.67. We remain in contact with Ofgemover this issue.</p>

27 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on whether there are any proposals to transfer from the UK Government to the Executive further powers over the marine environment.

Answer · Ross Finnie: It is recognised that the proposedUK Marine Bill does raise some complex issues around the mix of devolved and reservedmatters. The Executive is working closely with the UK Government to ensure thatthe bill is progressed while fully respecting the devolution …

27 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been received for the Rural Stewardship Scheme 2006, broken down by local authority area or nearest geographical equivalent and showing the number and percentage of successful applications in each case.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The number of applications receivedfor the Rural Stewardship Scheme 2006, broken down by local authority area, andthe number and percentage of successful applications, are as follows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td width=…

26 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve the level of youth facilities in communities and what national audit has been carried out to identify the extent of need for such facilities.

Answer · Robert Brown: The Scottish Executive is committedto improving facilities and opportunities for young people and provides financialsupport each year to local authorities and to voluntary organisations. In addition,we have committed £2.5 million for a Youth Work Capital Fund…

25 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered reviewing the cut-off age for awarding student loans, in light of the recent legislation on age discrimination.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive constantly reviewsits policies on student loans, in consultation with stakeholders, to ensure theyremain in line with new legislation.</p>

20 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its response was to the latest recommendation from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea that a total ban on cod catching in Scottish waters be implemented by the European Union.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The situation on cod remainsserious. However, the latest scientific advice does suggest that for North Sea codfishing mortality has declined and the stock can recover. The European Commissionhas already indicated that it will propose significant across the bo…

20 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are employed in the fish processing sector, and were employed in each of the last 10 years, showing year-on-year percentage changes, also broken down by local authority or nearest alternative geographical area.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The number of peopleemployed in Scotland in the processing and preserving of fish and fishproducts over the period 1998-2004 (latest data available) is as follows. Year-on-yearchanges is shown in brackets. </p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <th…

20 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many fishermen are employed, and were employed in each of the last 10 years, showing year on year percentage changes, also broken down by local authority or nearest alternative geographical area.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Information on the numbers ofsea fishermen employed by district is published for each year in the statisticalbulletin <i>Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics</i>, copies of which are availablein the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 40822, 217…

20 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much expenditure was incurred operating the Scottish Land Court in each of the last three years and is projected for the current year, giving the number of hearings considered each year and showing the number of successful and unsuccessful appeals in each case.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The salaries for the membersand staff of the Scottish Land Court for the years 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 are givenbelow. During the years in question, the Land Court shared accommodation and otherrunning costs with the Lands Tribunal for Scotland so no sep…

20 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much expenditure was incurred operating the review process for agricultural subsidies appeals in each of the last three years and is projected for the current year, giving the number of appeals considered at each stage for each year and showing the number of successful and unsuccessfu…

Answer · Ross Finnie: The EU AgriculturalSubsidies Appeals procedure became operational in November 2000. Theinformation requested is set out below.</p><p>The expenditure represents ScottishExecutive Environment and Rural Development Department Appeals Secretariat staffcosts, the …

20 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what level of support was provided for Bookstart in each of the last three years and is projected for each of the next three years, broken down where appropriate by local authority and giving the number of books issued in each case, broken down by age group.

Answer · Robert Brown: The Scottish Executive allocated£190,000 to Bookstart in Scotland in 2003-04, £190,000 in 2004-05 and £250,000 in 2005-06.Bookstart in Scotland will receive £500,000 over the next two financial years- £250,000 in 2006-07 and £250,000 in 2007-08. Decisions reg…

18 Oct 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to increase the volume of malting barley available for the whisky distilling sector.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Following the decoupling ofprice support under the 2003 CAP reforms, farmers are free to decide what cropsto grow. These decisions will be informed by their view of the market returnsagainst other crops or activities. Ultimately, the market is best placed tod…

26 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the establishment of the inshore fisheries management framework.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Two Inshore Fisheries Groups(IFGs)- the Hebrides Inshore Fisheries Group and the South East Scotland InshoreFisheries Group - are presently active on a shadow basis. The second meeting of the shadow Executive Committee of the Hebridean Group will be held on 3…

22 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many wind farm applications it has (a) approved and (b) rejected in each of the last three years; how many applications are awaiting a decision, and what average length of time it has taken for applications to be approved, also showing longest and shortest waiting times.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Details of approved/rejectedapplications for wind farm developments under section 36 of the Electricity Act1989 over the last three years are set out in the following table:</p><p>Section 36 Wind Farm Applications</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding…

22 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many wind energy projects have been approved in each of the last three years broken down by local authority area and showing the scale of each project in (a) megawatts and (b) number of turbines.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Details of wind farm applicationsconsented under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for developments in excessof 50Mw in each of last three years are as follows:</p><p>2004</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td valign=top> …

22 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) renewable electricity and (b) electricity, generated in Scotland in each of the last three years has been accounted for by wind energy, showing year-on-year increases, and what projections it has made in respect of the percentage to be generated through wind energy …

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Statistical information on electricitygeneration is collected by the UK Government, and published annually in the “EnergyTrends” publication available from the Department of Trade and Industry, via theDepartment’s internet page at:</p><p><ahref="http://www.dt…

22 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many operational wind energy projects there have been in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area and showing also the total megawatt capacity and number of turbines in each area and giving year-on-year percentage changes.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Wind farm developments, in excessof 50MW, consented under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 which moved to operationalmode in the last three years are detailed in the following tables:</p><p>2004</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td…

21 Sep 2006 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to what extent resources are available to MSPs to access video conferencing facilities in both the Parliament and their constituency offices to enable them to carry out parliamentary and constituency duties.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Parliament has adedicated video conferencing suite in the Holyrood building. The suite is availableto book by members for use as a general meeting room or as a video conferencingfacility. Where video conferencing facilities are requested these wi…

19 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to provide access to justice for individuals wishing to pursue legal aid cases in Moray, in light of the number of legal professionals unwilling or unable to take on such cases.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Scottish Executive is takinga number of steps to ensure that there is a nationwide supply of legal aid servicesto provide access to justice for individuals.</p><p>Firstly, we are working withthe Scottish Legal Aid Board and the Law Society of Scotland to …

19 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list, in descending order, the volume of traffic per mile, or other appropriate measure, on each single carriageway trunk road.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The measure of traffic flow ontrunk roads is the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF). The AADF for key points on each single carriageway trunk road is listedin the following table:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td width=270 now…

19 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much financial assistance has been made available for schools towards renewable energy installation projects in each of the last three years, showing also the amount awarded by each local authority in the same timescale.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Executive’s general financialsupport for school buildings is not allocated for specific aspects of investment,although in announcing recently £30 million of extra capital grant we specificallyemphasised the benefits and importance of improving energy effi…

19 Sep 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each local authority area have installed renewable energy devices, expressed also as a percentage of all schools in each area.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The information requested isnot held centrally.</p>