Question reference: S5W-03789
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 14 October 2016 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 31 October 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the Chief Scientific Adviser prior to, and in relation to, its decision to ban underground coal gasification.
Answer
Chief Scientific Adviser for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, Professor Louise Heathwaite, was engaged in the review from the outset and throughout. Since coming into post, the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland, Professor Sheila Rowan, has met officials and Professor Heathwaite to discuss this issue.
The Scottish Government values the contribution of the scientific advisors, and our evidence-led approach to unconventional oil and gas underlines the value the Scottish Government places on robust science.