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: S4W-17240

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 26 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the feature activity sensitivity tool to assist people who want to respond to the consultation, Planning Scotland's Seas.

The feature activity sensitivity tool, known as FEAST, is available online. FEAST enables users to explore what is known about the proposed protected features of Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and their sensitivity to pressures, and the marine activities that can cause pressures.

The information within FEAST is also provided as generic guidance regarding matters which are capable of affecting the protected feature(s) of a MPA as described in s81(1) as read with s80(1)(a) of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, as well as s127(1)(a) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. This will help future developments to be planned in a sustainable manner when proposed in, or adjacent to, a nature conservation MPA.

Please see the following web page for details of how to access the system;

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-environment/FEAST-Intro

Question reference: S4O-02422

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how the national indicators used in the National Performance Framework feed into decisions relating to its investment commitments.

Question reference: S4W-17034

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 18 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government to seek an alteration to EU trade agreements relating to consumption-based carbon emissions in order to align the cost of imports with their full carbon cost with the aim of incentivising local production.

The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the UK Government regarding an alteration to EU trade agreements relating to consumption-based carbon emissions. However, the Scottish Government is aware of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) publication, Reducing the UK’s carbon footprint and managing competitiveness risks published in April 2013. This report concluded that border carbon adjustments were not an alternative to a global deal on reducing global emissions, but may have value as a transitional resource if a deal continues to prove elusive. The CCC indicated resource efficiency measures and sustainable consumption could help reduce the UK’s carbon footprint.

Scotland is committed to working to meeting its emissions reduction targets, cut waste and use resources more efficiently. For instance, Scotland’s Zero Waste Plan, including our new waste regulations, will help to reduce Scotland’s global emissions footprint through greater prevention, reuse and recycling of materials whilst also reducing Scotland's reliance on the world’s limited supply of primary resources. Scotland is also investing significant resources in encouraging more sustainable lifestyles through the Greener Together campaign and the Climate Challenge Fund supporting households and communities to reduce their emissions and make the transition to low carbon living.

Question reference: S4W-17020

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 06 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 17 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how the Climate Change Delivery Board will oversee delivery of the second report on proposals and policies; how regularly it will meet, and when the recent changes to the board's structure will be updated on the Scottish Government's website.

Question reference: S4W-17019

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 06 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 17 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how often the Emissions Reduction Board met in 2013, and whether any of the meetings discussed the draft second report on proposals and policies.

Question reference: S4W-17033

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 17 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what the reasons are for the increase in emissions related to consumption in the last year, as noted in the report, Scotland's Carbon Footprint 1998–2010.

The slight increase in emissions related to consumption in 2010 is due to the particularly cold weather and the associated increase in emissions from household heating which occurred at the beginning and end of that year, an increase in emissions associated with imports, and an increase in emissions associated with goods produced in the UK and consumed in Scotland.

Since this Government first came to office in 2007, statistics show a 19% reduction in Scotland’s global carbon footprint.

Question reference: S4T-00433

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 September 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in relation to the 4% increase in Scotland’s carbon footprint between 2009 and 2010 as noted in its report, Scotland’s Carbon Footprint: 1998-2010.

Question reference: S4O-02372

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 September 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what provisions for bicycle access and storage on trains and at stations will be included in the contract for rail passenger services to be issued in 2014.

Question reference: S4W-16649

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 August 2013
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 2 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government when it last reviewed the list of birds protected by special penalties as set out at Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; what its position is on whether this legislation is fit for purpose, and what criteria it uses to determine the birds to list.

Schedule 1 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 may be amended by Scottish Ministers at any time and remains open to review as necessitated by consideration of the conservation needs of wild birds. Amendments in recent years include the addition of red kite, golden eagle and hen harrier to Schedule 1A in 2013 (along with the addition of golden eagle to Schedule A1), the addition of white tailed eagle to Schedules A1 and 1A in 2004, and the addition of capercaillie to Schedule 1 in 2001.

There are no set criteria to determine the birds on the list. Changes are normally initiated by advice from statutory advisors and are subject to public consultation.

Question reference: S4O-02323

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the issues associated with underemployment.