Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government''s Climate Change Delivery Plan describes four transformational changes needed by 2030 to ensure that Scotland is on the path to meeting its 2050 target of an 80% reduction in emissions (compared to 1990). One of these transformational outcomes is the almost complete decarbonisation of electricity generation. We are clear in our vision that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology will be a vital element of a decarbonised power sector in 2030, providing secure back-up generation for the renewables that will provide the majority of Scotland''s electricity.

The Delivery Plan therefore sets the expectation that Scotland will have a working demonstration plant by 2015, and a fully operational, commercial CCS plant by 2020. This will make a limited impact on total Scottish emissions in 2020, with the real reductions taking place between 2020 and 2030. By 2030, we expect that all remaining fossil fuel power stations will have to use CCS. The current position on Carbon Capture Readiness is the first step in ensuring that we make progress on the decarbonisation path and the introduction of CCS technology.

Thermal generation guidance for Scotland will be influenced by both the targets set by the Climate Change (Scotland) Act and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) which sets a legally binding framework for emissions reductions across the EU for large emitters such as energy generators.

Since the Antonine Wall was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in July 2008, the partnership group responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Site Management Plan (which includes Historic Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, the five local authorities and other interested organisations) has begun work to provide an action plan to ensure that there is a consistent approach to access and interpretation along the line of the Antonine Wall. The action plan, being led by North Lanark local authority, will be complete by November 2009. Presentation guidelines and an interpretation plan, being led by Historic Scotland, will be complete by April 2010 and September 2010 respectively.

In order to raise the profile of the wall “ as a single monument- a new logo has been designed and agreed to be used for the promotion of the wall by the local authorities and community projects.

There has been no additional funding allocated to date and each of the organisations is contributing expertise or funding to the planning. However, once the action plan is agreed, the projects to deliver a rolling programme of improvement will seek funding and this is likely to come from a variety of sources, not just the public purse. In addition, there are a number of initiatives already being undertaken by individual local authorities, local community and interest groups. These include the Space Unlimited Project undertaken with young people from secondary schools along the wall and the recently started Central Scotland Forest Trust community engagement project. The work of the Management Plan Group is not to prescribe such projects, rather it is to give a coherence and support to them.

Plaques, to be erected in each local authority area, marking the inscription of the new World Heritage Site have been manufactured and will be installed over the coming weeks.

Ministers and officials engage on a frequent and on-going basis with a wide range of businesses, environmental groups, enterprise agencies and local authorities to ensure Scotland gains maximum economic benefit from the low carbon economy.

In February we announced 10 Energy Pledges which focus on creating jobs, reducing emissions and saving householders and businesses money. These form a basis for discussions on delivering a low carbon economy in Scotland.

We have also delivered, or are in the course of delivering, a huge range of actions designed to create a coherent policy direction in the green energy sector, and ultimately lead to the creation of a high volume of green jobs. These include:

Formation of the Scottish Energy Advisory Board, chaired by the First Minister;

Publication of a Renewables Action Plan;

Publication of a Marine Energy Roadmap;

An Energy Efficiency Action Plan;

A Renewable Heat Action Plan, and

A Carbon Capture and Storage Roadmap.

In developing procurement strategies, Procurement Scotland engage with key stakeholders across Scotland - including suppliers and supply chain partners of all sizes. Additionally, an extensive analysis of cost, economic, social and environmental factors within the relevant Scottish market or industry is carried out. This includes consideration of carbon footprint, energy efficiency and economic impacts, including the contribution of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Procurement Scotland also promote innovative supply chain offerings that support wider social and environmental considerations. Where appropriate, Procurement Scotland have adopted or exceeded published best practice promoted by DEFRA and actively encourage organisations to work with supply chain partners at all levels in the supply chain, whether as a consortium bidder; a secondary or tertiary provider; or as a delivery, logistics or end user service provider.

Contract management activity continues to target and track continual improvement in these value add areas through the life of contracts.

Procurement Scotland are not aware of any currently contracted suppliers accused or fined for overcharging. Their tendering, contract and price management processes have however been developed to mitigate the potential for overcharging. Any issues found would be investigated and resolved with, in the case of overcharging, suppliers expected to generate associated credits or refunds. Ultimately, Procurement Scotland have the right within their contracts to exit if a supplier cannot assure best value or fails to act upon improvement suggestions.

Products and services contracted by Procurement Scotland are subject to competitive tender and, post award, to periodic market price comparisons to ensure they remain competitive through the life of the contract. Any changes to pricing must be approved by Procurement Scotland prior to implementation.

Organisations buying from Procurement Scotland''s contracts employ a range of procedures to ensure integrity of pricing across the contract, order and invoice payment. These are subject to local standing financial controls.

In developing procurement strategies, Procurement Scotland engage with key stakeholders across Scotland - including suppliers and supply chain partners of all sizes. Additionally, an extensive analysis of cost, economic, social and environmental factors within the relevant Scottish market or industry is carried out. This includes consideration of carbon footprint, energy efficiency and economic impacts, including the contribution of SMEs.

Procurement Scotland also promote innovative supply chain offerings that support wider social and environmental considerations. Where appropriate, Procurement Scotland have adopted or exceeded published best practice promoted by DEFRA and actively encourage organisations to work with supply chain partners at all levels in the supply chain, whether as a consortium bidder; a secondary or tertiary provider; or as a delivery, logistics or end user service provider.

Contract management activity continues to target and track continual improvement in these value add areas through the life of contracts.

Procurement Scotland are not aware of any currently contracted suppliers accused or fined for overcharging. Their tendering, contract and price management processes have however been developed to mitigate the potential for overcharging. Any issues found would be investigated and resolved with, in the case of overcharging, suppliers expected to generate associated credits or refunds. Ultimately, Procurement Scotland have the right within their contracts to exit if a supplier cannot assure best value or fails to act upon improvement suggestions.

A definitive group of surgical procedures specifically attributable to the treatment of epilepsy is not available from central records.

Discharge records for patients with a main diagnosis of epilepsy can contain a range of performed surgical procedures which may or may not be specifically aimed at treating the underlying condition.

In the absence of a specified list of surgical procedures, the requested information is not available centrally.