Richard Baker

30 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology or methodologies it will use in respect of newly built privately-owned dwellings to comply with Article 3 of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr. PaulStollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), toanswer. His response is as follows:</p><p>The SBSA has to dateconsidered using SAP 2005, SBEM, rdSAP and the Scottish Energy Rating Tool fornewly-constructed pr…

30 Mar 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what methodology or methodologies it will use in respect of existing privately-owned dwellings to comply with Article 3 of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr. PaulStollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), toanswer. His response is as follows:</p><p>The SBSA has to dateconsidered using SAP 2005, rdSAP and the Scottish Energy Rating Tool for existingprivately-owned d…

22 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make it compulsory for new or replacement boilers to be condensing boilers.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr. Paul Stollard,Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. Hisresponse is as follows:</p><p>The introduction of condensinggas boilers into Scottish building regulations is under consideration at presentas part …

22 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to make it compulsory for new or replacement gas boilers to be condensing boilers.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr. Paul Stollard,Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. Hisresponse is as follows:</p><p>The introduction of condensinggas boilers into Scottish building regulations is under consideration at presentas part …

22 Feb 2006 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is working with other agencies to ensure that skills and training in the fishing sector are maintained.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive worksclosely with Lantra, Improve and the Sea Fish Industry Authority to help maintainand develop the skills and training agenda in the fishing sector. These organisationsreceive Government funding to engage with employers to identify s…

17 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the design brief for the bridges over the rivers Don and Dee as part of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will include an option for a light user path to enable cyclists and walkers to benefit from the route.

Answer · Tavish Scott: We do not at the present timeenvisage such options being included as the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Routeis proposed as a Special Road on which cyclists and pedestrians will be prohibitedfor reasons of safety. Discussions are on-going with local authority pa…

17 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that sustainable transport users benefit from the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will connect existing and proposed park and ridesites around the city. Removal of through traffic and reduction of traffic oncity streets will allow the reallocation of road space to buses and cyclistsand make bus journey…

17 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure vehicle through traffic is channelled onto the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Aberdeen WesternPeripheral Route will provide quicker more direct and more reliable journeys toand from points north, west and south of Aberdeen, and this will naturallyencourage through traffic to use it. Road signing will also ensure thattravellers are …

17 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it expects the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route to have on traffic levels on roads surrounding the roads corridor.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Traffic levels on roadssurrounding the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route are generallyexpected to fall significantly as through traffic transfers to the new road. Trafficmodelling is still being refined and the impact at junctions will be assessedin discussi…

17 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it is making to include cycling provision as part of the new roads corridor arising from the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-23278 15 March 2006. Transport Scotland has the operationalresponsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more information ifrequired.</p><p>All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on…

17 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to minimise the disruption to cyclists and walkers using the area around the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-23278 on 15 March 2006. Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for moreinformation if required.</p><p>All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are availabl…

17 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that cyclists and walkers benefit from the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The reduction of traffic on otherroads will allow the development of proposals for their safer use by cyclistsin line with the trunk road cycling initiative. Reduced traffic will alsoimprove pedestrian safety and assist in the pedestrianisation of Union Stree…

17 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funds are being made available to NHS boards for 2006-07.

Answer · Andy Kerr: NHS boards have been given a general allocation of £6,436.205 million for 2006-07, an average increase over the equivalent 2005-06 allocation of 7.25%. Details of each NHS board’s allocation are as follows:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <…

16 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of any changes to the rates of student support for further and higher education students which will apply for the academic year 2006-07.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I am delighted to announce the new rates of support for students in further and higher education for academic year 2006-07. I am today placing in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre details of the rates of those loans, bursaries and grants, which will …

13 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the Aberdeen Crossrail project.

Answer · Tavish Scott: In line with our PartnershipAgreement Commitment, we continue to support the development of feasibility workfor the Aberdeen Crossrail scheme. The proposal is being led by NESTRANS who areresponsible for ensuring delivery of the completed feasibility work by …

1 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the strategic management of investment in affordable housing.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We will consult soon on a new strategic framework for the affordable housing investment programme. We have allocated more than £1.2 billion over this and the next two years for affordable housing, and set a target of 21,500 new and improved affordable homes t…

30 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the farm income figures for 2005.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is today publishing the Scottish farm income figures. The estimated figures show that Total Income From Farming (TIFF) is forecast to fall by 8.4% in 2005 to £436 million. Finished cattle has continue to improve, as evidenced by a 6% in…

3 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive where comments received on the implementation of the EU Energy in Performance in Buildings Directive will be published.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:</p> <p>Responses received on the Directive consultation, due in March 2006, will be made available to the public in the Sco…

3 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the deadline is for submission of comments on the implementation of the EU Energy in Performance in Buildings Directive.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The SBSA has uploaded <i>A circular on how Scotland will implement the EU Directive on the energy performance of bui…

3 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what external consultation is taking place as part of the process of deciding how to implement the EU Energy in Performance in Buildings Directive.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The SBSA has uploaded <i>A circular on how Scotland will implement the EU Directive on the energy performance of bui…

3 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what process is being used in order to decide which methods should be used to measure the energy performance of domestic dwellings for the requirements of the EU Energy Performance in Buildings Directive.

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:</p> <p>Scotland shall apply a methodology of calculating the energy performance of buildings on the basis of the general fr…

3 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the implementation of the EU Energy Performance in Buildings Directive will have on other areas of energy policy in Scotland in respect of domestic dwellings, such as the Home Energy Conversation Act 1995, fuel poverty strategies, the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, local h…

Answer · Johann Lamont: I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The SBSA is currently in the process of developing its directive implementation strategy, which includes working wit…

31 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce new measures to encourage Scottish consumers to buy Scottish beef.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive has no plans to introduce new measures but it will continue to support Quality Meat Scotland in their efforts to increase consumption of Scotch beef.</p>

31 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to encourage Scottish consumers to buy Scottish beef.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) have a range of actions in place to encourage greater consumption of Scotch Beef. These include TV advertisements, in store activities, public information campaigns and healthy eating initiatives. The Executive supports QMS in thei…

31 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to compel supermarkets to take account of the animal welfare standards and health and safety records of beef producers when deciding which beef to stock and sell.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I have no such plans. All beef for sale in Scotland, whether sourced from EU member states or third countries must have been produced to minimum hygiene and safety standards which apply within the EU.</p>

31 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place for monitoring the animal welfare standards and health and safety records of beef producers whose produce is sold in Scotland.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The health and safety of all beef sold in Scotland is controlled by anti-mortem and post-mortem health inspections at the abattoir. Animal welfare in the EU is subject to EU wide legislation. Producers outwith the EU may need to comply with any national anima…

31 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is engaging with the National Farmers Union Scotland and other stakeholders on country of origin beef labelling.

Answer · Ross Finnie: A stakeholder working group was set up to assist the Executive in identifying the issues to be covered in the forthcoming consultation on country of origin of beef in the food service sector. The consultation paper will be sent to NFU Scotland and other stake…

31 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to include supermarkets and other retailers in any consultation on new country of origin beef labelling regulations.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The forthcoming consultation on country of origin of beef relates to the food service rather than the retail sector. The consultation paper will be sent to retail organisations to seek their comments on the proposals.</p>

31 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will consult on new country of origin beef labelling regulations.

Answer · Ross Finnie: We intend to consult shortly on country of origin of beef in the food service sector.</p>

24 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage performing companies to stage public performances across Scotland, particularly in the north east.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The Scottish Executive does not directly fund performing companies. It makes resources available both to local authorities and to the Scottish Arts Council to enable them to facilitate access to cultural activities, including the performing arts.</p> <p>The S…