Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S3O-00908

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 October 2007
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 October 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been set for NHS Scotland to deliver energy efficiency and what incentives the Scottish Government has put in place for NHS boards to meet its overall reduction targets for CO2 emissions.

NHSScotland currentlyhas a national target to reduce climatically adjusted energy consumption by 2% annuallyuntil 2010 and is on track to meet this target. This target will be reviewed inline with emerging policies.

NHS boards are coveredby the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme and the Scottish Government has proposalsfor a separate Scottish implementation of the UK Carbon Reduction Commitment forpublic bodies.

The Carbon Trust isworking with Scottish NHS boards to help NHSScotland reduce emissions through theCarbon Management Programme.

Question reference: S3W-04832

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 01 October 2007
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 25 October 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4253 by Stewart Stevenson on 1 October 2007, how much each measure listed is predicted to contribute to meeting its CO2 emission reduction targets.

Most of the measureslisted are in development or under review and, whilst carbon savings will be a principaldriver for each measure, projected carbon savings are not currently available. However,the one stop shop approach for domestic consumers will aim for lifetime savingsof over 1.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is a four-fold increase on currentperformance.

It is important thatthe package of measures to deliver our ambitious climate change targets is robust.Developing the policies and analysis necessary to support this will inevitably taketime.

Question reference: S3W-04767

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 28 September 2007
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 24 October 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive what plan or process has been put in place to ensure that Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and local enterprise companies contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in pursuance of section 1 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and further the conservation and enhancement of natural features specified in sites of special scientific interest under section 12 of the Act.

All public bodiesin Scotland are subject to a duty under the NatureConservation (Scotland) Act 2004 to further biodiversityconservation in carrying out their functions. The Scottish Government producedguidance in 2005 to promote the duty and to encourage its implementation. Theguidance can be accessed at:http://www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/pageType2.php?id=19&type=2&navID=59.

The NatureConservation (Scotland) Act 2004 Act also requires public bodiesto consult Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in relation to the exercise of anyfunction on, or affecting, any land which is or forms part of a Site of SpecialScientific Interest. Public bodies must have regard to any advice received fromSNH as a result of such consultation.

It is for eachpublic body to decide how to comply with the requirements in the 2004 act.

Question reference: S3W-04823

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 01 October 2007
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 24 October 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4139 by Kenny MacAskill on 27 September 2007, whether it is possible to identify what incidences of poisoning there have been where poisoning was not the main offence.

Question reference: S3W-04253

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 1 October 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken since May 2007 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help meet its target of an 80% reduction by 2050.

The statement to Parliamentin June by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth committed usto consult on a Scottish Climate Change Bill that will set a clear, long-term statutory framework to meet a proposed 80% emissions reductiontarget. We are developing detailedproposals for the bill, in consultation with key stakeholders, and plan to begin formal consultation at the earliest opportunity.

We havetaken, or are taking a number of specific measures which will contribute to ouremission reduction objectives including development of our policies for the promotionof renewable heat and increased micro-generation; establishment of an expert panel to recommendmeasures which will make houses and buildings in Scotland more energy efficient;encouragementof tighter caps on emissions in future phases of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme;development of proposals to targetemissions from energy use by large commercial and public sector organisations throughthe Carbon Reduction Commitment, and progression of plans to introduce a “one-stop-shop” for domesticconsumers across Scotland to provide a more strategic and co-ordinated approachto sustainable energy advice.

We also announced our intention to work constructively as part of the UK effort and have beenexploring with the UK Government our engagement with the UK Climate Change Bill.

Question reference: S3W-04257

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 26 September 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the abolition of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Sustainable Scotland.

Question reference: S3W-04258

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 26 September 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that (a) there is close co-ordination between ministers on sustainable development and (b) all ministers drive forward action on climate change and meet targets, in light of the abolition of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Sustainable Scotland.

Question reference: S3W-04259

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 26 September 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be put in place to ensure that projects assisted under the Environmental Justice Fund can be satisfactorily completed even if unforeseen delays require spending to continue into 2008-09.

Question reference: S3W-04260

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 26 September 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to invite bids for funding from the Environmental Justice Fund for 2008-09.

Question reference: S3W-04256

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 26 September 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive when the decision was made to abolish to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Sustainable Scotland and when this decision was publicly announced.

Structures inplace to support the delivery of an administration’s objectives will naturallycease at the end of that administration. It is for the new Cabinet to decide onany new structures which should be established. A Greener Scotland is one of the Government’ five strategic objectives as outlined in Principles andPriorities: The Government’s Programme for Scotland, published on 5 September 2007. We are serious about making Scotland a more sustainable nation and will work with a rangeof external bodies in delivering that goal.