Alison Johnstone

16 Feb 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the extent is of ash dieback disease in Scotland.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: The Scottish Government is working closely with the UK Government on minimising the impact of this disease and learning lessons for the future. As at 2 February 2015 there are 169 confirmed sites in Scotland: three nurseries, 63 wider environment sites and 1…

16 Feb 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how Parliament House came to be in its ownership and that of the Faculty of Advocates, and what role the City of Edinburgh Council played in that process.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government registered a title to Parliament House in the land register after consulting, amongst others, City of Edinburgh Council. These enquiries were made in the context of the need for very substantial investment in the Parliament House compl…

6 Feb 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) plans and (b) programmes are in place to ensure that the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland target of 10% of transport trips being made by cycling by 2020 is met.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The refreshed Cycling Action Plan for Scotland, published in 2013, sets out 19 actions involving all partners, that will help us achieve the shared vision of 10% of everyday journeys by bike by 2020. In addition, local authorities are being encouraged and sup…

6 Feb 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how  much has been set aside in the 2015-16 budget for (a) active travel, (b) cycling, (c) walking, (d) cycling infrastructure and (e) Smarter Choices Smarter Places measures, also broken down by (i) capital and (ii) revenue budgets.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Detailed decisions on funding for active travel in 2015-16 have yet to be taken. The draft budget for 2015-16 included £25 million in the support for sustainable and active travel budget line. In addition, in his speech to Parliament on 4 February 2015 the De…

30 Jan 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers should be the appropriate level of cycle storage on trains on the Borders railway.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The appropriate allocation of space within a train is always challenging as rolling stock has to run on a variety of routes and cater for passengers with differing requirements. In trying to attract more passengers onto train services it is necessary to bala…

30 Jan 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Borders railway is not referred to in Transport Scotland's Cycling Action Plan for Scotland 2013.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Cycling Action Plan for Scotland 2013 is a strategic document, and as such, does not mention specific rail lines. However, action 6 commits Transport Scotland to develop better integration with public transport through working in partnership with rail ope…

30 Jan 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Abellio regarding the proposal to allow no more than two bicycles per train on the Borders railway.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Abellio have confirmed that the current on train cycle policy of at least two cycle spaces per train will be preserved and this includes rail services to the Borders. In addition Abellio will ensure that all on-train staff involved are briefed on cycle capaci…

20 Jan 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Smith Commission's recommendation on the matter, what progress is being made with the development of plans to allow international students to remain in Scotland after graduation.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government welcomes the Smith Commission’s view that the UK and Scottish governments should work together to explore a potential scheme to allow international students to remain in Scotland for a defined period of time after graduation and contri…

17 Dec 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what forecasts it has of the number of trips per person by different modes of transport in (a) 2020 and (b) 2040.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Transport Model for Scotland (TMfS) is a strategic model focussed on inter-urban movements and contains forecasts for car, bus and rail travel in five-year intervals from 2012 to 2037. The forecast number of car driver trips per person in 2017 is 287.5. …

10 Dec 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18470 by Paul Wheelhouse on 4 December 2013, whether it will provide an update on the information regarding mountain hares.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the James Hutton Institute and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, acting on the advice of several mountain hare experts, have started work on field trialling a range of methods of assessing mountain hare numbers, to devel…

10 Dec 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Natural Heritage Scientific Advisory Committee sub-group on sustainable moorland management will (a) complete and (b) publish its report.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: The Scottish Natural Heritage Scientific Advisory Committee plan to consider their report in March 2015 and to publish shortly thereafter.

2 Dec 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland plans to improve how it records and collates data on offences against animals.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The systems and processes in place to record criminal offences, including offences against animals are matters for the Police Scotland. I understand that all crimes are recorded in accordance with the Scottish Crime Recording Standard.

2 Dec 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many reports of animals injured by air weapons have been made to Police Scotland since the beginning of 2014.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The recording and reporting of criminal offences, including offences against animals, is a matter for Police Scotland. I understand that details on air weapons injuries to animals are not held centrally.

24 Nov 2014 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the development of wave power technology will be affected by the company, Pelamis, entering administration.

18 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what restrictions there are on the installation of double glazing in conservation areas.

Answer · Alex Neil: The permitted development rights for works to dwelling houses and flats, which would allow such installation without needing planning permission, do not apply in conservation areas. The determination of applications for planning permission, and the developme…

18 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which of its energy efficiency schemes (a) provide assistance to homes in the private rented sector and (b) encourage the uptake of double glazing for windows.

Answer · Alex Neil: Our Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS) and Green Homes Cashback schemes provides support for householders across all tenures, including the private rented sector. Double glazing is eligible through our HEEPS: Area Based Schemes and can typ…

18 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported rise in reports of illegal hare coursing.

Answer · Aileen McLeod: Hare coursing, like many other types of poaching is largely a seasonal activity. Hare coursing takes place predominantly in spring and autumn, and this is reflected in increased reports from late August through to the end of November. The Wildlife Crime Annua…

12 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how energy efficiency skills are included in the training for modern apprentices in the construction industry.

Answer · Angela Constance: Modern Apprenticeship (MA) frameworks are developed by Sector Skills Councils in response to demand from employers. Energy and Utility Skills have recently developed a level 3 MA framework in Gas Heating and Energy Efficiency and the Electrical Installation f…

12 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprentices are being trained in the installation of household energy efficiency measures.

Answer · Angela Constance: Sector Skills Councils and standards setting bodies are responsible for developing Modern Apprenticeship (MA) frameworks, responding to the needs and demands of industry. While there is no MA framework specifically dedicated to the installation of household e…

10 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage women into public life.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government is committed to creating a culture and environment that allows us to harness the talents of women, enabling and promoting their participation in public life. We are working across a number of fronts to achieve this, including requestin…

10 Nov 2014 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on underground coal gasification and whether any licences have been granted for exploration.

5 Nov 2014 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many journeys between mainland Scotland and London were made by road, rail, coach and air in the last year for which figures are available.

4 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Food Standards Agency in Scotland should have the power to introduce limits on the sale of caffeinated energy drinks to children.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Restricting the sale of food and drink in Scotland is not a matter for the Food Standards Agency in Scotland. The agency provides advice on food safety and standards; it is for ministers or other public bodies to take action accordingly.

4 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has sought regarding the potential health risks of combined energy drink and alcohol consumption.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government asked the Food Standards Agency in Scotland (FSAS) to carry out a review of the current international evidence on the effects of mixing alcohol and caffeine on health and behaviour in 2010. Advice from the FSAS concluded that the major…

4 Nov 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14009 by Michael Matheson on 18 April 2013, whether it will provide an update on the European Food Safety Authority’s review of caffeine risk.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) opinion on the safety assessment of caffeine is now expected to be published in April 2015. EFSA intend to undertake a public consultation on their draft opinion in the next few months and details will be available …

29 Oct 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to meet the opposition parties to discuss the reform of local government taxation.

6 Oct 2014 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role it has in ensuring the safety of nuclear power stations.

25 Sep 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Planning Policy requires that all proposals for open cast coal mines should have an independent financial guarantee that will ensure that any restoration is fully funded by the developer.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Yes. Scottish Planning Policy states “Planning authorities should, through planning conditions and legal agreements, ensure that a high standard of restoration and aftercare is managed effectively and that such work is undertaken at the earliest opportunity. …

25 Sep 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, if a proposed open cast coal mine is considered environmentally unacceptable, even with planning conditions, how much potential local or community benefit it would have to demonstrate to outweigh the environmental concerns.

Answer · Derek Mackay: It is for the planning authority to consider the material considerations to be taken into account in determining applications, and how much weight to attach to any such considerations. Consent should only be granted for surface coal extraction proposals whic…

25 Sep 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what level of coal extraction is compatible with the vision set out in the (a) Scottish Planning Policy to support the transition to a low-carbon economy and (b) National Planning Framework to support a limited amount of thermal generation.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Neither National Planning Framework 3 nor Scottish Planning Policy specify a level of coal extraction required to support the transition to a low carbon economy. Scottish Planning Policy recognises the national benefit of indigenous coal in maintaining a div…