Questions and answers

Question reference: S4W-04851

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 06 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 19 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken, beyond funding provided for in the 2012-13 draft budget, to ensure delivery of the £508 million required to reduce emissions from transport in 2012 as set out in Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting the Emissions Reduction Targets 2010-22, The Report on Proposals and Policies.

Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting the Emissions Reduction Targets 2010-22, the Scottish Government’s first climate change Report on Proposals and Policies (RPP) provides the current estimated costs for full delivery of the transport proposals contained within it. In the current spending review period difficult decisions have been necessary following the 36% capital investment cut by the UK Government. Nonetheless, we remain committed to meeting our statutory climate change targets, the various transport milestones within the RPP. This commitment is further reinforced by our new strategic priority which lies at the heart of our refreshed Government Economic Strategy - The Transition to a Low Carbon Economy - reflecting the opportunity and contribution a low carbon economy can make to the future prosperity of Scotland. We will take projects forward as and when funding becomes available. This will be aided significantly by our Future Transport Fund which will see a further £50 million made available to support the transition to low carbon transport over the next four years. A second Scottish Green Bus Fund, with a budget of £2 million, was announced on 17 January. The first fund, issued last year, will see the delivery of 48 new vehicles with early indications showing substantial fuel savings and reductions in emissions. This second fund will provide an opportunity to build on these successes.

Question reference: S4W-04857

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 06 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 19 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it has carried out on the appropriate balance between public and private sector finance to ensure delivery of the (a) £508 million and (b) £1,281 million required to reduce emissions from transport in 2012 and the period 2012-14 respectively, as set out in Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting the Emissions Reduction Targets 2010-22, The Report on Proposals and Policies.

Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting the Emissions Reduction Targets 2010-22, the Scottish Government’s first climate change Report on Proposals and Policies (RPP) provides the current estimated costs for full delivery of the transport proposals contained within it.

The appropriate balance of spend between the public and private sector will be determined by how much public money is needed to deliver the necessary infrastructure and encourage private investment in more efficient and active travel. Irrespective of where the costs fall, the government will look to deliver all proposals in the most cost effective manner. Given the long timeframe that the RPP covers, it is inevitable that some of the measures that it details will develop and change as circumstances dictate and our understanding of the emissions impact of interventions improves.

Question reference: S4W-04853

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 06 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 19 January 2012

We are working with Scottish Enterprise, electricity suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, transport operators, technology companies and others to exploit opportunities for private sector investment to help overcome the barriers to an increased take up of low carbon vehicles.

Additionally, the 2020 Climate Group was established to help to align actions across Scotland to reduce emissions and to support the Scottish Government in the drive to create a low carbon future for Scotland through smarter collaborations and better conversations. The 2020 group has a number of sub-groups that look at specific areas including transport, and both public and business engagement.

Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting the Emissions Reduction Targets 2010-22, the Scottish Government’s first climate change Report on Proposals and Policies, provides current estimated costs for full delivery of the transport proposals contained within it, including for low carbon transport.

A second Scottish Green Bus Fund, with a budget of £2 million, was announced on 17 January 2012. The first fund, issued last year, will see the delivery of 48 new vehicles with early indications showing substantial fuel savings and reductions in emissions. This second fund will provide an opportunity to build on these successes.

Question reference: S4W-04854

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 06 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 19 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage private sector investment in walking and cycling measures for (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and c) 2014.

In delivering cycling and walking projects, we will continue to work with a range of stakeholders from all sectors which have an important role to play in providing facilities and promoting and encouraging active and sustainable travel more widely. For example, Cycling Scotland’s Cycle Friendly Employer scheme encourages employers to provide cycling facilities including secure cycle parking, showers and drying facilities in the workplace. Currently 106 Cycle Friendly Employer awards have been granted in Scotland to various organisations.

Question reference: S4W-04856

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 06 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 19 January 2012

Question reference: S4O-00569

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent it monitors the site condition of seabird breeding colony special protection areas, including the corresponding marine extensions.

Question reference: S4W-04596

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 11 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how many times have (a) Galloway Community Hospital and (b) other rural hospitals have or had their accident and emergency units downgraded to minor injuries units due to a shortage of suitably-qualified staff in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) 2011.

Question reference: S4W-04593

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 10 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been distributed to cooperatives by the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme since the scheme was introduced.

Question reference: S4W-04594

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 10 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how many wind turbines are (a) community- and (b) cooperative-owned.

Question reference: S4W-04591

Asked by: Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 10 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how many cooperatives have (a) applied for and (b) received funding from the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme since the scheme was introduced.

Chamber and committees