Parliamentary questions
Patrick Harvie
1,454 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14226 by Roseanna Cunningham on 3 May 2013, whether it will provide the information that was requested and confirm whether it will bring forward a report before the completion of the review period; whether the legislation forbids it from producing s…
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Section 11 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 contained an express provision requiring the Government to report to Parliament on the operation of the legislation after two full football seasons. Work on t…
2 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions ministers have had with Hargreaves Services Plc about the formation of the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has talked with a range of stakeholders across the coal industry in the development stages of the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust (SMRT) including local authority planning officials, landowners, Scottish Environmental Protection Agenc…
2 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the liquidation of Scottish Coal will have on any applications by the company for coal extraction that are in the planning system.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The determination of planning applications by Scottish Coal for opencast coal extraction is a matter for discussion between the individual planning authorities and Scottish Coals’ liquidators.
2 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what sources of funding will exist for the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Mines Restoration Trust (SMRT) is an independent body and not part of the Scottish Government. Therefore, the funding sources are a matter for the board of SMRT. Coal operators are responsible for the restoration of their respective open cast si…
2 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what effect the creation of the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust will have on existing planning obligations placed on coal mining companies.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Trust is not expected to have a direct effect on planning obligations but the Trust will instead when approached, be expected to prioritise and facilitate action on restoration.
2 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust will engage with communities situated next to opencast coal mining sites.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Mines Restoration Trust is an independent body and not part of the Scottish Government. We understand, however, that the Trust will ensure that a permanent community representative is appointed to their board. As each site is unique, bespoke solu…
2 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-00845 by Alex Salmond on 13 September 2012 (Official Report, c. 11413), on what date it will publish its estimate of the climate impact of its policy on air passenger duty.
Answer · Keith Brown: The First Minister has confirmed that, as part of the detailed consideration of a replacement to the UK Government's Air Passenger Duty, the Scottish Government will conduct analysis on the environmental impact of proposals. That will be undertaken and the re…
1 May 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is reducing the health impacts of poor air quality in cities.
29 Apr 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government about offering rebates on energy bills in exchange for local unconventional fossil fuel extraction developments.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government have had no discussions with the UK Government on these matters.
29 Apr 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding of the report, Unburnable carbon 2013: Wasted capital and stranded assets, that between 60 and 80% of coal, oil and gas reserves of publicly listed companies are unburnable if the world is to have a chance of not exceeding a rise in global average temp…
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Scotland needs a balanced energy policy. We believe that through our strong promotion of Carbon Capture and Storage and the continued potential of our onshore and offshore renewables sector, the Scottish Government is taking the necessary steps to meet our am…
17 Apr 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether a cost-benefit analysis of interventions to reduce vitamin D deficiency in the population will form part of the review by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The remit of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) Vitamin D Working Group is to review the Dietary Reference Values for vitamin D intake and make recommendations. In doing so, the review is considering the clinical evidence on vitamin D and w…
17 Apr 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the (a) Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and (b) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to ensure that the relevance of Scotland's high latitude is considered in the review of vitamin D.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Officials from the Food Standards Agency in Scotland (FSAS) attend the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) Vitamin D Working Group meetings on behalf of the Scottish Government to ensure Scottish interests are fully represented. In doing so, the…
17 Apr 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what update it can provide on the review of vitamin D by the (a) Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and (b) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) Vitamin D Working Group held its eighth meeting in February this year, with the next scheduled for15 May 2013. It is anticipated that a draft report will be available for public consultation in March 2014,…
16 Apr 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13897 by Nicola Sturgeon on 16 April 2013, whether it will provide a list of each helpline it supports that is operated by a private company and the name of each operating company.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
11 Apr 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its aim for universities and further education establishments to develop more long-term, sustainable partnerships in China, as set out in its document, Working with China, what action it (a) has taken and (b) plans to ensure that medical courses in higher education instituti…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Whilst the Scottish Government does not have a locus to intervene in the course content of higher education institutions, we fully support action to combat the commercialisation of organs, tissues and cells and the trafficking of people for organ donation, al…
11 Apr 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its guidance principle, Respect for Human Rights, as set out in its document, Working with China, what discussions it (a) has had and (b) plans with the Chinese Government regarding reports of people being forced into so-called organ harvesting in China.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is committed to engaging the Chinese Government on human rights and this is articulated in Working with China: A Five Year Strategy for Engagement between Scotland and the People’s Republic of China, published in December 2012. We full…
9 Apr 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of reported concerns, it will bring forward a report on the operation of offences under section 11 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 in advance of the completion of the review period.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Section 11 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 requires Scottish Ministers, after having consulted such persons as they consider appropriate, to lay a report before Parliament on the operation of the offen…
26 Mar 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proposals were submitted for national development status in the National Planning Framework 3.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The proposals will be published on the Scottish Government’s website, alongside the National Planning Framework 3 Main Issues Report.
22 Mar 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of each helpline it supports that is operated by a private company, showing for each the operating company; the average time spent (a) on hold and (b) per call, and the average cost of a call from a (i) landline and (ii) mobile telephone.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government Central Enquiry line which provides the first point of contact to the public is operated internally. Other information requested for private companies operating any helplines supported by the Scottish Government is not held centrally.
27 Feb 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many cases the Private Rented Housing Panel has dealt with in each year.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Private Rented Housing Panel was launched on 3 September 2007 and deals with 2 types of cases, rent assessment and repairing standard cases. The figures for each are as follows. Year Rent Repairs 2007 (from 3 September) 19 28 2008 67 115 2009 7…
27 Feb 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many hits the Landlord Registration Scotland website has received in each year.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: No records are kept of the number of individual hits on the Landlord Registration Scotland website. However, a total of 211,339 applications for registration have been made on the website between inception of the system on 30 April 2006 and 31 January 2013.
27 Feb 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness and sufficiency of the policy that 25% of new housing units should be affordable housing.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Government’s policy on the implementation of local affordable housing policies is set out in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) which makes it clear that authorities may seek a percentage contribution from developers for affordable housing where this…
27 Feb 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish a set of minimum physical, locational, service and management standards for temporary accommodation.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: Prior to considering establishment of minimum standards, the Scottish Government is assembling a clearer evidence base on standards in temporary accommodation, working closely with our local authority partners and organisations like Shelter Scotland. We have…
27 Feb 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its budget is for the Home Owners' Support Fund for (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: £10 million has been allocated to the Home Owners’ Support Fund for each of the years 2013-14 and 2014-15.
27 Feb 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many households have been given support by the Home Owners' Support Fund.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: 325 households were helped by the Home Owners’ Support Fund in 2011-12.
27 Feb 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project cost estimate of £653 million includes (a) all consequential costs for other works required to complete the project and (b) money spent in previous years.
Answer · Keith Brown: The total scheme cost estimate for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) element of AWPR/Balmedie-Tipperty project is £653 million at 2012 prices (excluding VAT) which includes costs associated with design preparation, land purchase, advance works, uti…
27 Feb 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11014 by Roseanna Cunningham on 21 November 2012, with what stakeholders it has engaged and what the (a) timescale and (b) process will be for developing an options paper on an environmental court.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government remains committed to publishing an options paper in the lifetime of this current parliament. No decisions have been taken yet on the timetable however, once they are taken, the Scottish Government will fully engage with stakeholders on…
30 Jan 2013 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what input its Health and Social Care Directorate made to the draft second report on proposals and policies.
Answer · Michael Matheson: As noted in the Draft Second Report on Proposals and Policies, tackling climate change is the responsibility of every part of the Scottish Government, its agencies and local government. We propose to ramp up emissions reduction from across the entire public …
29 Jan 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many hybrid buses are in operation; what percentage of the bus fleet this represents, and what measures it has planned to achieve the 50% market penetration suggested as achievable by 2027 in Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting our Emissions Reduction Targets 2013-2027: The Draft Second Rep…
Answer · Keith Brown: Funding under Rounds 1 and 2 of the Scottish Green Bus Fund will see 71 low carbon vehicles (LCVs) operating in the Scottish bus fleet. These LCVs represent around 1.3% of the total Scottish fleet. Additional funding under Round 3 of the Fund could see around…
22 Jan 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it uses to monitor the impact of the Scottish Green Bus Fund on fuel savings and carbon emissions.
Answer · Keith Brown: As a condition of grant, operators receiving funding are required to submit periodic data detailing the operation and performance of each vehicle for which funding was provided. The data required includes details of CO2 savings and fuel efficiency. Total pro…