Chamber and committees

If there isappropriate justification, licences can be issued for shooting geese outwiththe open season. Any change to the shooting season would need to be justifiedon the basis of evidence and would need to be compatible with the requirementsof the EU Wild Birds Directive. Scottish Natural Heritage have agreed toundertake a population assessment of the Western Isles which will provide anessential input to considering whether changes to the season or to othermanagement approaches are necessary or appropriate.

There is uncertaintyabout how much carbon dioxide will be released from peat in response to it beingdisturbed by, for example, the construction of a road or a wind farm, particularlythe long-term effects. For this reason the Scottish Government intends to fund aresearch project to improve our knowledge in this area and, more specifically, toreview and revise the way carbon “payback” times for wind farms are currently calculatedusing a methodology published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in 2000. The ScottEnvironment Protection Agency and SNH will be working with us on this research project.It is planned that revised guidelines will be published and available by the endof 2007.

In terms of the proposeddevelopment at Barvas Moor, the developer submitted an addendum (in December 2006)which provided details on the carbon balance associated with construction (includingroad building) on peat. In accordance with the relevant legislative and planningobligations, Scottish ministers will consider all material issues when determiningsection 36 consent applications in Scotland.

I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

Information is notheld by parliamentary constituency, but by main postcode area.

The Programme ManagingAgent (Scottish Gas) has indicated that, in the HS postcode area, 15 central heatingsystems have been installed since October 2006 until the end of July 2007.

I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

Information is notheld by parliamentary constituency, but by main postcode area.

The centralheating programme was introduced in September 2001 and was managed by Eaga Partnershipuntil September 2006. In that time Eaga installed 1,117 central heating systemsin the HS postcode area.

I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

Information is notheld by parliamentary constituency, but by main postcode area.

The programmemanaging agent (Scottish Gas) has indicated that, in the HS postcode area 133 householdershave been waiting longer than two months following their initial application tothe central heating programme.

Rural communitygroups will be able to access support through the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 which the Executive hassubmitted to Brussels. Before any of the available funds can bespent, the programme needs to be approved by the European Commission. Approvalis expected later this year.

The programme containsa specific measure, worth £32 million over seven years, to help provideleisure, recreation, sporting, catering and other rural community services andfacilities, including village halls. Arrangements for applying for such supportunder a Rural Development Contract will be publishedlater this year.

There will alsobe new opportunities for rural community groups to benefit from LEADER. Some £41 million has been earmarked over the sevenyear programme to support service provision, including village halls and othercommunity.

The Scottish Governmentis working with various sectors across Scotland to ensure they are aware of the possibilities and opportunities availableto individuals, communities, groups, and businesses from the London 2012 Games.

The 2012 Games willoffer some opportunities for some businesses across Scotland to supply goods or provide services.

No specific benefitsto the Western Isles constituency beyond the general ones outlined above have beenidentified.

he Scottish Executive iscommitted to encouraging a more integrated transport network as part of theimplementation of the National Transport Strategy. We are also working closely with key stakeholders to implementMoving into the Future – an Action Plan for Buses to benefit passengers andfurther improve the experience of using bus services.

However, the provision oflocal bus services is a matter for bus operators and local transportauthorities working together to meet the needs of local communities.

The ScottishExecutive has no plans to provide funding for Counselling Psychology courses.

NHS Education forScotland is responsible for the commissioning of education and training forNHSScotland. It has reported that there is no demand from NHS boards to developand fund training for counselling psychologists.

Considerationof the delivery of local economic development activity, including the future oflocal enterprise companies (LEC), is now underway as part of the wider workwhich we are undertaking on the future shape of the enterprise networks. Anychanges which may or may not be made to the LEC structure will take account of the need to deliver a high-quality careers advice service which is currently inplace and delivered by Careers Scotland.