Shirley-Anne Somerville

17 Mar 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it continues to support the introduction of minimum pricing as a means of tackling problems with alcohol.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This administration has put in place a comprehensive framework of over 40 actions which, taken together, will help reduce consumption and harm and help rebalance our relationship with alcohol. However, I am clear - and this is a view shared by alcohol experts…

24 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it and its agencies invested in the renewables and community renewables industry between (a) 2003 and 2007 and (b) 2007 and 2011.

Answer · Jim Mather: The following table shows Scottish Government expenditure on renewable energy by year. It does not include investment in renewable energy by the enterprise agencies. </p> <p >Scottish Government Expenditure on Renewable Energy</p> <table border=1 cellspaci…

22 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs it estimates will be created under its plans for a low-carbon economy by 2014-15.

Answer · John Swinney: The Low Carbon Economic Strategy highlights the massive potential that renewable, environmental and emerging low carbon sectors have in Scotland. In considering the evidence base underpinning the Strategy we estimate that employment in the Low Carbon Environm…

16 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will fulfil the requirement of section 35 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 to set out a report on proposals and policies for meeting annual emissions targets for 2010 to 2022.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The draft Report on Proposals and Policies has been published today (laying number SG/2010/251) and a copy will be placed in Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 52063). A final report will be published following a 60-day period for Parliamenta…

30 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of Edinburgh Napier University’s decision to discontinue its Communication, Advertising and PR undergraduate degree (a) how many applicants will be affected by this decision and (b) what recourse applicants who are negatively affected will have to ensure they can begin their cho…

Answer · Michael Russell: Edinburgh Napier University is an autonomous institution and is therefore responsible for managing its own course provision. The information requested could only be obtained from Edinburgh Napier University.</p>

29 Apr 2010 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received a copy of any reports by the Scottish Football Review Committee chaired by Henry McLeish.

Answer · Shona Robison: The first stage of the Review of Scottish Football, which Henry McLeish has been chairing, was published by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) on Friday 23 April 2010 and is in the public domain.</p> <p >I welcome the publication of this comprehensive r…

21 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specific measures it has in place, or plans to put in place, to assist small businesses to take advantage of future opportunities in the renewables and low-carbon sector.

Answer · Jim Mather: The transition to a low carbon economy presents major opportunities for Scotland to develop new industries, skills and jobs, and the Scottish Government works through the enterprise agencies to realise those opportunities.</p> <p >For instance, this year, in…

21 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specific measures it has in place, or plans to put in place, to prepare and train unskilled, low skilled and other hard-to-employ groups for employment in the renewables and low-carbon sector.

Answer · Jim Mather: Later this spring we will publish a refreshed skills strategy with a renewed focus on the skills needed to support a strong recovery for Scotland as well as longer-term sustainable economic growth.</p> <p >This will build on the Skills Framework for Action u…

21 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has regarding the potential impact of jobs in the renewables and low-carbon sector on tackling long-term unemployment.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has not carried out an assessment of the potential impact of jobs in the renewables and low carbon sector on tacking long-term unemployment.</p>

21 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs in the renewables and low-carbon sector expected to be created over the next 20 years will be (a) low, (b) semi and (c) highly skilled.

Answer · Jim Mather: Current estimates of the number of jobs which could be created in the renewables and low carbon sector are not broken down by skills level. However, the Scottish Government and its partners are working with industry to identify and address strategically the s…

21 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has regarding the geographical spread of potential future jobs in the renewables and low-carbon sector.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has not carried out an assessment of the geographical spread of potential jobs in the renewables and low carbon sector.</p>

21 Apr 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs in the renewables and low-carbon sector are expected to be created in the next (a) five, (b) 10 and (c) 20 years.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government''s discussion paper, Towards a Low Carbon Economy for Scotland, reported in March that from a baseline of around 70,000 jobs in 2008, the low carbon sector in Scotland could support an additional 60,000 jobs by 2020, of which 26,000 jo…

26 Mar 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17961 by Stewart Stevenson on 3 December 2008, how much of its £500 million contribution to the Edinburgh trams project has been spent since that date, broken down by (a) date of release and (b) amount.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A further £146.956 million has been spent from 3 December 2008. </p> <p >Details are as follows:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td width=238 valign=top > <p align=center >Edinburgh Tram Project Expenditure</p> …

4 Feb 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide further permitted development rights for domestic micro-wind turbines and air source heat pumps.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Following our initial consultation on permitted development rights in January 2010, an Amendment Order setting out a limited range of permitted development rights for domestic micro-wind turbines and air-source heat pumps will be laid in the Scottish Parliame…

6 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its response to the consultation that was held earlier in 2009 on the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government, together with the UK Government and the other Devolved Administrations, published a joint government response to the consultation on the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) today.</p> <p >The government response includes a number of i…

3 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to implement measures contained in the National Food and Drink Policy.

Answer · Richard Lochhead : <i > This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0903-01.htm">http://www.scot…

16 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the annual progress report on tackling climate change will be published.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The <i >Climate Change in </i><i >Scotland</i><i: Annual Report 2008-09</i> is being published on 17 June 2009 and will be available through the Scottish Governments website at </p> <p ><a href="www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechangeannualreport08-09">www.scotl…

16 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the Climate Change Delivery Plan for meeting the statutory climate change targets proposed in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill. 

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Climate Change Delivery Plan:<i > Meeting Scotland''s Statutory Climate Change Targets </i>is being published on 17 June 2009 and will be available through the Scottish Governments website at <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechangedeliveryplan">…

12 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has of the effectiveness of the influenza vaccination in reducing influenza-related illnesses in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

Answer · Shona Robison: In scientific trials, influenza vaccines have consistently been shown to prevent laboratory-confirmed illness in between 70% and 90% of healthy adults. There is no evidence to suggest that the effectiveness of the vaccine in pregnant women and breastfeeding m…

12 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has of increased risk from influenza-related illness for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) make recommendations on those groups of people who are at risk from seasonal flu who should receive the free flu vaccination. At present there is limited evidence of any increased risk for pregnant wo…

12 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research it is aware of on the impacts on the child of influenza-related illness during pregnancy and while the mother is breastfeeding.

Answer · Shona Robison: A recent study <i >Influenza vaccination in pregnancy, current evidence and selected national policies</i> (T. Mak et al 2008) found that studies have shown that the viral risk to the foetus from maternal influenza infection is low, since trans-placental tran…

12 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is to the NHS of influenza-related illness in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

Answer · Shona Robison: Five to ten percent of the population is affected by influenza each year during seasonal winter outbreaks, and there are costs and pressures on the NHS as a result of this. However, there are currently no estimates on costs to the NHS of influenza-related ill…

12 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is to the NHS of extending eligibility for the free influenza vaccination programme to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

Answer · Shona Robison: The current list of at-risk groups who are entitled to free seasonal flu vaccination is based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI consider all the most up to date evidence to inform their recommendation…

12 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations have been made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation regarding the inclusion of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers in the free influenza vaccination programme.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends free influenza vaccination for any pregnant women in one of the eligible at-risk groups. There is currently no separate recommendation for breastfeeding mothers, but there is no evidence of…

12 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to extend eligibility for the free influenza vaccination programme to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

Answer · Shona Robison: Pregnant women and breast feeding mothers who are at risk from the flu due to certain medical conditions are currently eligible for vaccination. At present there are no plans to extend eligibility to all pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.</p> <p >The …

14 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what communication there has been with voluntary organisations that previously accessed enhanced or standard disclosure checks for staff and volunteers working with vulnerable adults and will now be unable to do so following the changes made to the interpretation of the eligibility criter…

Answer · Shona Robison: This is a matter for Disclosure Scotland and the Central Registered Body for Scotland who have operational responsibility for disclosure checks.</p>

14 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place with local authorities about existing requirements in funding agreements with voluntary organisations for enhanced or standard disclosure checks for staff and volunteers working with vulnerable adults before changes were made to the interpretation of the eligib…

Answer · Shona Robison: Discussions have taken place with COSLA. Costs for enhanced level checks for volunteers delivering social care services to adults at risk will continue to be borne by the Scottish Government.</p>

14 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact assessment was carried out before changes were made to the interpretation of eligibility criteria for voluntary organisations seeking to access enhanced or standard disclosure checks for staff and volunteers working with vulnerable adults.

Answer · Shona Robison: The changes arose following audit compliance work by Disclosure Scotland which highlighted that some voluntary and charitable sector positions fall outwith the criteria set out in current legislation. It was identified that some individuals would not have bee…

14 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation with the voluntary sector took place before changes were made to the interpretation of eligibility criteria for voluntary organisations seeking to access enhanced or standard disclosure checks for staff and volunteers working with vulnerable adults.

Answer · Shona Robison: My officials have met with and discussed the criteria set out in current legislation with representatives of the voluntary and charitable sector. The sector has endorsed the proposal to amend secondary legislation to provide continuity and to create a bridge …

14 Apr 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it had with Disclosure Scotland concerning changes to the interpretation of eligibility criteria for voluntary organisations seeking to access enhanced or standard disclosure checks for staff and volunteers working with vulnerable adults.

Answer · Shona Robison: Following audit compliance work by Disclosure Scotland (DS), both DS and the Central Registered Body for Scotland (CRBS) approached Scottish Government officials to request clarification on their different interpretations of the criteria that should be applie…