Wednesday 19 September 2012 SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Transcription

1 Wednesday 19 September 2012 SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Enterprise and Environment Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what enforcement action is available to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) when waste transfer stations fail to meet licence conditions. (S4O-01304) Paul Wheelhouse: SEPA s published Enforcement Policy sets out the range of enforcement tools which are available in pursuing compliance with environmental legislation. If a waste operator fails to meet the conditions of his licence, SEPA can exercise enforcement powers in a variety of ways, both formal and informal, including discussion, the use of advisory and/or warning letters and the serving of formal notices requiring compliance with licence conditions. Failure to comply with a formal notice within the set timescale may constitute an offence and may result in a report being sent to the Procurators Fiscal recommending prosecution. Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what (a) industry and (b) activity it expects will require to carry out large-scale abstractions, as described in Part 2 of the draft Water Resources (Scotland) Bill, that cannot be authorised under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations (S4W-09250) Nicola Sturgeon: All abstractions from the water environment require authorisation under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations The proposals in the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill are that abstractions over 10 Megalitres per day will require additional consent from ministers (unless they are subject to an exemption). Ministers will be able to take into account a wider range of impacts that particularly large abstractions would have and thereby ensure that Scotland s water resources are being used for the benefit of the people of Scotland. Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it has sought to quantify how much peat bog is in Scottish Natural Heritage s search areas for wild land. (S4W-09421) Paul Wheelhouse: It is estimated that peat bog as identified by the James Hutton Institute covers around 60% of Scottish Natural Heritage s search areas for wild land. Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to focus agri-environment schemes to reward land managers who preserve and maintain the health of their peat bogs. (S4W-09422) Paul Wheelhouse: Work to develop the next Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is ongoing. However, proposals for agri-environment options will be consulted on next year, once the European Regulations have been finalised. Although proposals for agri-environment options have not yet been presented, peat bogs are known to have the ability to play a role in addressing the priorities identified as part of the May 2012 engagement exercise with stakeholders.

2 Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out into whether techniques such as shelter wood or selection systems can help prevent the spread of diseases in forests. (S4W-09423) Paul Wheelhouse: Research is being carried out by the Forestry Commission s research agency (Forest Research) into alternative management approaches, including the use of shelter wood or selection systems (otherwise known as continuous cover forestry, or CCF). This research is examining ways to adapt forests to increase their resilience to climate change, pests and diseases. Emerging conclusions are consistent with an earlier review The evidence supporting the use of CCF in adapting Scotland s forests to the risks of climate change (Forest Research, eport.pdf) which noted that the development of more diverse forests is a sensible way to reduce risks and that this can be achieved using both even-aged management and CCF. However, in determining suitability for CCF, much depends upon the characteristics of individual sites and their management history. CCF can also have different impacts (positive and negative) on different pests and diseases. Further evidence on the role of CCF in pest and disease management is being collated through long-term studies of a network of demonstration sites and at research forests, one of which (the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park) is in Scotland. Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what schemes (a) have been approved and (b) are being considered for renewable energy production on Forestry Commission land. (S4W-09426) Paul Wheelhouse: The present position regarding renewable energy development on the National Forest Estate is that some 402MW of wind and hydro capacity is already generating electricity, 429MW is under construction, 156MW has obtained planning consent but construction has not commenced yet while some 215MW capacity is in the planning system. Additionally options have been agreed with developers to investigate the potential of sites amounting to a further 736MW. This does not include sites under consideration where option agreements have not yet been entered into. Finance Government how many staff will be employed by Revenue Scotland. (S4W-09207) John Swinney: The precise number of staff to be employed by Revenue Scotland will be confirmed in due course. Government how many senior staff will be employed by Revenue Scotland. (S4W-09208) John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W on 19 September We have recently announced the appointment of the interim head for Revenue Scotland. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament s website, the search facility for which can be found at Finance Government what the annual cost will be for employing (a) senior and (b) junior staff at Revenue Scotland. (S4W )

3 John Swinney: I refer the member to the document I placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 54051) which sets out the anticipated staff costs for Revenue Scotland. Government how many junior staff will be employed by Revenue Scotland. (S4W-09211) John Swinney: The precise number of staff to be employed by Revenue Scotland will be confirmed in due course. Government, further to the answer to question S4W by John Swinney on 13 August 2012, how many times it discussed the collection of a land and buildings transaction tax with HM Revenue and Customs and on what dates. (S4W-09212) John Swinney: Scottish Government officials have discussed with HMRC aspects of the collection of a tax to replace the Stamp Duty Land Tax on a number of occasions since 30 November Government, further to the answer to question S4W by John Swinney on 13 August 2012, on which dates (a) it wrote to HM Revenue and Customs and (b) HM Revenue and Customs wrote to it regarding the collection of a land and buildings transaction tax. (S4W-09213) John Swinney: Scottish Government officials and HMRC exchanged correspondence on aspects of the collection of a tax to replace the Stamp Duty Land Tax on a number of occasions. This correspondence has been placed in the Scottish Parliamentary Information Centre (Bib. number 5427). Government whether it will publish the correspondence between it and HM Revenue and Customs regarding the collection of a land and buildings transaction tax. (S4W-09214) John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W on 19 September Correspondence between the Scottish Government and HMRC on aspects of the collection of a tax to replace the Stamp Duty Land Tax has been placed on the Scottish Government website. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament s website, the search facility for which can be found at Government on which dates it held (a) meetings and (b) telephone conversations with HM Revenue and Customs regarding the collection of a land and buildings transaction tax. (S4W-09215) John Swinney: Scottish Government officials have discussed aspects of the collection of a tax to replace the Stamp Duty Land Tax on a number of occasions since 30 November Government, further to the answer to question S4W by John Swinney on 13 August 2012, on which page of the document the information requested can be found. (S4W )

4 John Swinney: The document I placed in Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 54051) sets out estimated overall costs for the delivery of the devolved taxes. Government how much it will cost to establish Revenue Scotland's IT system. (S4W ) John Swinney: It is anticipated that IT systems managed by RoS and SEPA will be used for the collection and administration of the devolved taxes. The estimated costs of developing and operating these systems are included in the estimates set out in the document I placed in the Scottish Parliamentary Information Centre (Bib. number 54051). In addition, it is expected that Revenue Scotland staff will use the Scottish Government s IT system, SCOTS. The cost of extending the SCOTS system to Revenue Scotland staff are also included in the document placed in the Scottish Parliamentary Information Centre. Government, further to the answer to question S4W by John Swinney on 13 August 2012, on which page of the document can the information requested be found. (S4W ) John Swinney: The document I placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib number 54051) sets out estimated overall costs for the delivery of the devolved taxes. Government what the main non-staffing costs will be for Revenue Scotland (S4W-09219) John Swinney: Non-staffing costs for Revenue Scotland will include provision of public information about the devolved taxes, legal costs including costs associated with appeals and debt recovery and standard running costs including accommodation, systems support and staff training. Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what government-funded capital investment projects are underway in the Highlands and Islands and what the completion date is of each project. (S4W-09444) Nicola Sturgeon: An outline of capital investment projects currently underway in the Highlands and Islands region which are funded or part funded by the Scottish Government are included in the following table. In addition there are a range of housing projects currently on site across the Highlands and Islands which are receiving Scottish Government funding. All projects outlined are being funded by way of traditional capital or by revenue finance through non-profit distributing and hub. Project Name Estimated Completion Inverness College 2015 Western Isles Schools Project 2013 Orkney Islands Schools Investment Programme 2013 Kessock Bridge upgrade 2014 Stornoway-Ullapool Ferry 2014 Wick High School Evie Primary School, Orkney Happy Hansel Primary School, Shetland Milnes Primary School, Moray Campbeltown Grammar School

5 Project Name Estimated Completion Dunoon/Kirn/St. Mun s Primary School Daliburgh Primary School, Western Isles 1 Completed 2012 Tain Health Centre 2014 Forres Health Centre 2014 Oban Dental Facility 2013 Mull and Iona Progressive Care Centre 2012 Arnish Plant and Estate Improvements Inverness Campus Forres Enterprise Park Extension of Roads Forres Enterprise Park Provide 2 Units Building Development within Forres Enterprise zone Lews Castle development West Highland College infrastructure expansion Kennacraig, Kintyre, Phase 2 causeway Notes: 1. These schools form part of Phase 1 and 2 of the Scottish Government s 1.25 billion Scotland s Schools for the Future School Building Programme. 2. These projects form part of the Scottish Government s 105 million package of economic stimulus for this year which was announced on 27 June. Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what capital investment projects it is considering for the Highlands and Islands. (S4W-09445) Nicola Sturgeon: The Infrastructure Investment Plan published in December 2011 outlines the following major infrastructure investment projects in the pipeline for the Highlands and Islands: Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Improvements; Highland Main Line Improvements; Dualling of the A9; A96 Upgrading; A82 Improvements; HMP Highland; Development of Balfour Hospital and Kirkwall Dental Centre (NHS Orkney); Day Services Centre, Raigmore Hospital (NHS Highland); Scalloway Health Centre (NHS Shetland), and St Brendan s Hospital (NHS Western Isles). Further information on Scottish Government priorities for investment and long term strategy for development of public infrastructure is contained in the Infrastructure Investment Plan which can be found at the following link Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much debt is held by each public sector organisation. (S4W-09535) John Swinney: None of the public sector organisations within the Scottish Government accounting boundary, nor any of the Scottish Government s executive non-departmental public bodies, currently have any long-term borrowings. Details of local authority debt was provided in my response to question S4W answered on 3 May The indebtedness of other organisations within the devolved public sector (e.g. Scottish public corporations) may be ascertained from the annual accounts of the individual organisations concerned. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament s website, the search facility for which can be found at

6 Governance and Communities Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the issues highlighted by Audit Scotland in its report, Learning the lessons of public body mergers. (S4W-09437) John Swinney: We welcome the publication of the Audit Scotland report. In particular, the good practice guidance captures very useful lessons to be learnt. We have widely disseminated the guidance within the Scottish Government already and we are discussing the key messages with public bodies as part of our ongoing dialogue with them. This will help to inform the work of both Scottish Government project teams and public bodies themselves as the government pursues its continuing commitment to simplifying and streamlining the public bodies and public services delivery landscape. The Public Audit Committee will be taking evidence from the Scottish Government at its meeting on 26 September We will reflect on the way forward in light of the committee s inquiry. Health and Social Care Jackson Carlaw (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the shortage of the Sanofi-Pasteur BCG treatment for bladder cancer. (S4W-09390) Alex Neil: The manufacture of Immucyst has been stopped by the manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, and I understand that it is unlikely to resume before late This product is manufactured in Canada and this is a global problem. The UK-wide medicines regulatory authority, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is working closely with other regulatory authorities in helping to resolve the ongoing manufacturing and quality problems at the Canadian site. In the UK, there is an alternative licensed product, OncoTICE, manufactured by MSD. Limited supplies of OncoTICE are now available directly from the manufacturer. Jackson Carlaw (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government when the national abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme for men over 65 is scheduled to begin and whether all NHS boards will take part. (S4W-09394) Michael Matheson: The Scottish abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening programme commenced a planned roll-out in July It is expected that all NHS boards will offer AAA screening by December Further information on the programme and roll-out is available at: Jackson Carlaw (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many emergency arrivals have been not admitted, discharged or transferred for at least (a) 18 and (b) 24 hours in each (i) NHS board and (ii) accident and emergency unit in each year since (S4W-09399) Alex Neil: Information on the number of attendances (new and unplanned returns) that were not admitted/transferred/discharged for at least 18 and 24 hours by NHS Board and by accident and emergency site has been placed in the Scottish Parliamentary Information Centre (Bib. number 54263). This information is shown by financial year, from to Information for is not included as a full year s worth of data is not available (the accident and emergency data mart was established in June 2007 to monitor compliance against waiting times targets).

7 Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S3W by Shona Robison on 27 March 2009, what progress it has made in its commitment to arrange a survey of the incidence of fetal alcohol syndrome. (S4W-09412) Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W on 22 February All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament s website, the search facility for which can be found at Learning and Justice Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to combat far right extremism. (S4O-01295) Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is committed to creating a society in which intolerance and prejudice have no place and in building trust, respect and understanding within Scotland s multifaith and multi-cultural society. Prejudice and intolerance can fracture communities and undermine community cohesion and at its extremes can give rise to serious criminal behaviour. That is why we give priority to work on community safety, support programmes to promote equality, tackle discrimination and hate crime. It is also why we work closely with police colleagues through, among other things, the Scottish Preventing Violent Extremism Unit, to create a safer Scotland within which there is no place for violent extremism of any kind. Graeme Pearson (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how successful the Community Links Centre service has been and how this has been measured. (S4W-09307) Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The SPS considers that the community links facilities provided in prisons to enable prisoners to get access to services to support them on release make a valuable contribution to helping reduce reoffending. This is only part of the multi-agency support that is needed to help prisoners transition back to their communities and as such cannot be meaningfully assessed as a standalone service. Graeme Pearson (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered rolling out the Community Links Centre model of service to other locations. (S4W-09308) Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: There are links centres in all public sector prisons in Scotland. Private sector prisons also operate a links centre model that enables prisoners to access community provided services that can help them to make the transition back to their communities. Graeme Pearson (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered creating a Community Links Centre-type service for long-term prisoners in preparation for their release back into the community. (S4W-09309) Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The services provided in prisons through the links centre model are available to all sentenced prisoners. In addition, all long-term and life sentence prisoners have detailed management plans to

8 support and manage their risk and needs whilst in custody and into the community on release. These offenders are also further supported through supervision by local authority social workers. Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to put in place a social fund commissioner for Scotland. (S4W-09435) Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will have an independent review mechanism for community care grants and crisis loans from April (S4W-09436) Nicola Sturgeon: We are still considering our options to provide review arrangements for the Social Fund successor scheme. David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 687 motorists caught by Northern Constabulary and Tayside Police on the A9 Inverness- Perth road in a recent 10-day enforcement period were also charged with (a) dangerous driving, (b) careless driving and (c) driving too slowly causing frustration to other road users. (S4W-09465) Kenny MacAskill: Northern Constabulary and Tayside Police have issued a statement indicating that during their joint 10 day enforcement campaign on the A9, which ended on 25 August 2012 and included support from VOSA and the Safety Camera Partnerships, a total number of 759 offences were detected as follows: Speeding offences 687 Mobile Phone offences 33 Overloaded Vehicles 11 No Insurance/Driving Licence/MOT 8 Drivers Hours offences 7 Crossing Solid White Lines 6 Dangerous/Careless Driving 4 Defective Tyres 2 Seatbelt offences 1. David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many of the static speed checks during the recent 10-day enforcement period on the A9 Inverness- Perth road were conducted (a) on straight sections of the road, (b) at collision hot spots and (c) close to, or near the end of, dual carriageway sections. (S4W-09466) Kenny MacAskill: During August 2012 Northern Constabulary and Tayside Police conducted a joint 10 day enforcement initiative on the A9 between Inverness and Perth that included participation by VOSA and the Safety Camera Partnerships. In addition to speeding offences detected randomly by police patrols, mobile safety cameras were deployed as part of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme at various locations established either as sites that meet specific accident and casualty criteria, or as part of a route strategy to address accidents spread over longer sections of road. Mobile cameras were deployed on the route every day during the campaign period on no less than 32 occasions. None of the camera locations was less than about 1.5m from the end of a dual carriageway and all vehicles from which the cameras were used, were marked to national livery standards and used on relatively straight sections of road to satisfy equipment and programme conspicuity requirements. Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how long it takes for divorce cases to be (a) heard and (b) concluded in each sheriff court.

9 (S4W-09532) Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing. Strategy and External Affairs Marco Biagi (Edinburgh Central) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs there are in the computer games development sector and what the gross value added (GVA) of the sector is. (S4W-09476) Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Annual Business Statistics 2010 published on 29 August 2012 are based on data from the Annual Business Survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics. The two most relevant domains, audio/visual and digital industries, include a range of relevant Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes under the categories computer games and software/electronic publishing. These codes report a total contribution of over 1 billion GVA and 19,300 jobs. The Scottish Government recognises that there may be overlap between these two domains and that the industry is keen to have a fairer representation of the number of jobs it secures. In light of this, we are working with our partners, and industry representatives, including TIGA whose recent research suggests that there may be around 600 jobs in Scotland s computer games sector. It is our intention to widen the SABS framework to enable the measuring and monitoring of individual sub-sectors more closely. This will help to capture those businesses which may not be captured within the statistics due to standard accounting practices. Transport Scotland Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government whether the owner of both a not-for-profit company that is limited by guarantee and a private limited company would qualify for fare reductions under the Air Discount Scheme for tickets purchased for his or herself for the same flight when travelling with either company and, if not, what its reasons are for its position on this matter. (S4W-09230) Keith Brown: Travel undertaken by an Air Discount Scheme (ADS) member on behalf of a Private Limited Company would be considered business-related travel and would not be eligible for discounted fares. Travel undertaken by a scheme member on behalf of a not-for-profit company or other third sector organisation would be eligible for discounted fares, provided that the organisation had registered with the ADS Administrative Team based at Inverness Airport. If a member was travelling in a dual capacity and part of the reason for travel was business-related, their travel would not be eligible for discounted fares.