Questions and answers

Question reference: S3W-31523

Asked by: Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 February 2010
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 2 March 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department of Energy and Climate Change regarding the proposed relocation of the UK continental shelf core and records collections to Keyworth.

Question reference: S3W-31522

Asked by: Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 February 2010
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 2 March 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was consulted on the proposed relocation of the UK continental shelf core and records collections to Keyworth.

Question reference: S3W-31519

Asked by: Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 February 2010
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 2 March 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the proposed relocation of the UK continental shelf core and records collections to Keyworth will have on Scottish universities’ research capabilities.

The existing facility at Gilmerton is, in our view, of great value to academia in Scotland and the current proposal would significantly disadvantage research undertaken at Scottish universities. Relocation would result in much reduced access to the dataset by Scottish-based research students. The proposals would also undermine the growing opportunities for carbon storage research in Scotland. Scotland''s universities are amongst the world leaders in carbon storage research and retaining research access to the core data at Gilmerton will be essential to the development of this crucial resource.

Question reference: S3W-31517

Asked by: Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 February 2010
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 2 March 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the British Geological Survey regarding the proposed relocation of the UK continental shelf core and records collections to Keyworth.

Both the First Minister and I have written to the British Geological Survey (BGS) urging them to reconsider their decision and retain the facility in Edinburgh. I have also recently met with Prof Ludden, Executive Director of BGS, to discuss these matters and to consider alternative options to maintain the data and formations within Scotland. Energy officials have also been in contact with BGS directly on a number of issues including the consultation process and the impact on users. This dialogue is continuing.

Question reference: S3W-31524

Asked by: Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 February 2010
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 2 March 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) financial and (b) operational effect the proposed relocation of the UK continental shelf core and records collections to Keyworth will have on Scottish businesses.

Although we are not aware of any detailed assessment, it is likely that any relocation would have impact on some local businesses in Edinburgh in terms of hotel usage and other business services.

This would be in addition to the negative impact upon Scottish based businesses directly affected by the proposal as outlined in response to questions S3W-31518 and S3W-31519 on 2 March 2010.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Question reference: S3W-31518

Asked by: Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 February 2010
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 2 March 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the proposed relocation of the UK continental shelf core and records collections to Keyworth will have on the oil and gas industry in Scotland.

The core and records collection currently located at Gilmerton is widely used by oil and gas companies in Scotland for exploration and development purposes. We are of the view that if core data is to be used to greatest economic value the cores need to be situated in close proximity to its main users. Relocating the core data to Keyworth would affect access to the material from Scotland, increase costs to the oil and gas industry and ultimately result in the facility being used less. This could have negative implications for North Sea petroleum activities and subsequently the levels of oil recovered from the UKCS.

Question reference: S3W-31521

Asked by: Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 February 2010
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 2 March 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive how many job losses will result from the proposed relocation of the UK continental shelf core and records collections to Keyworth.

Question reference: S3W-31690

Asked by: Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Current Status: Answered by Bruce Crawford on 11 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what its performance was in answering ministerial correspondence in the third quarter of 2009.

Question reference: S3O-09512

Asked by: Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 February 2010
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 11 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding GPs’ recommendations on the physical and mental wellbeing of patients in relation to the employment and support allowance.

Question reference: S3W-31432

Asked by: Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 February 2010
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive, as outlined in the Scottish Ministerial Code, whether it will publish (a) details of all overseas travel undertaken by ministers in 2008-09 and (b) the total costs of such travel in (i) cash and (ii) real terms for the last 10 years.??

The information requested can be found in the following Annexes:

Annex A - Overseas travel on official business undertaken by Scottish Government ministers during the financial year 2008-09.

Annex B “ The total costs of such travel in cash and real terms for the last 10 years.

Annex A

Date of Visit	End Date (if different)	Location	Event	Minister(s)	No. of Officials who travelled	Cost of Minister''s Travel and Subsistence (£)
05 April 2008	12 April 2008	Beijing/ Shanghai	The Minister travelled to Beijing/Shanghai to establish links with the Education community to enhance their engagement with Scotland.	Fiona Hyslop	5	£5,645.70
13 April 2008	14 April 2008	Luxembourg	The Minister travelled to Luxembourg to attend the EU Fisheries Council Meeting.	Michael Russell	4	£793.45
17 April 2008	18 April 2008	Luxembourg	The Lord Advocate travelled to Luxembourg to attend the JHA Council.	Lord Advocate	1	£992.75
21 April 2008	21 April 2008	Athens	The Minister travelled to Athens to attend a Meeting with Atticus Group.	Stewart Stevenson	1	£1,010.60
22 April 2008	24 April 2008	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to attend the European Seafood Exposition.	Michael Russell	3	£1,296.55
23 April 2008	23 April 2008	Brussels	The First Minister travelled to Brussels to attend the European Seafood Expo	First Minister	2	£1,613.31
04 May 2008	06 May 2008	Munich	The Minister travelled to Munich to attend the Munich Planning Exhibition and meet the Bavarian Planning Minister.	John Swinney	1	£1,016.84
19 May 2008	20 May 2008	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to attend the DG Maritime Conference.	Richard Lochhead	1	*£0.00
26 May 2008	27 May 2008	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to attend a meeting with ScotRep and with EP Climate Change committee.	Stewart Stevenson	1	£332.70
05 June 2008	05 June 2009	Paris	The Minister travelled to Paris to attend the Scottish Women''s Hospital Committee Memorial.	Stewart Maxwell	0	£558.90
05 June 2008	06 June 2008	Luxembourg	The Solicitor General travelled to Luxembourg to attend the JHA Council.	Frank Mulholland	2	£841.40
12 June 2008	15 June 2008	Oslo	The Minister travelled to Oslo to discuss reintroduction of Beaver/Sea Eagle to Scotland and meet with Norwegian Ministers.	Michael Russell	3	£1,206.56
23 June 2008	24 June 2008	Luxembourg	The Minister travelled to Luxembourg to attend the Agriculture Council.	Richard Lochhead	2	£683.55
26 June 2008	28 June 2008	Barcelona	The Minister travelled to Barcelona to speak at ENCORE Conference.	Michael Russell	2	£410
30 June 2008	31 June 2009	Paris	The Minister travelled to Paris to attend the Commemorative Ceremony for McCrae''s Battalion.	Stewart Maxwell	0	£780
11 July 2008	14 July 2008	Dublin	The Solicitor General travelled to Dublin to attend the ISRCL Conference.	Frank Mulholland	1	£1,544.23
14 July 2008	15 July 2008	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to attend the Agriculture Council.	Richard Lochhead	2	£988.04
23 July 2008	24 July 2008	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to attend the Justice and Home Affairs Council.	Kenneth MacAskill	1	£526.10
17 August 2008	22-August 2008	Bodo	The Minister travelled to Bodo to Visit the examining Early Years Initiatives.	Adam Ingram	2	£1,344.07
27 August 2008	01 September 2008	Singapore	The Lord Advocate travelled to attend and speak at Singapore to attend the International Association of Prosecutors Conference [IAP].	Lord Advocate	1	£5,305.56
04 September 2008	09 September 2008	Canada/ New York	The Minister travelled to the Minneapolis/ St.Paul, Winnipeg and New York to attend events around the unveiling of a Selkirk Settlers statue; promote Homecoming; meetings with Canadian Ministers; renewable energy fact-finding visit; inward investment meetings.	Michael Russell	2	£7,072.00
17 September 2008	22 September 2009	Hong Kong	The Minister travelled to Hong Kong to address Global scot Conference and undertake a programme of events.	John Swinney	1	£4,020.38
19 September 2008	23 September 2008	U.S.A	Ryder Cup Programme There were no direct accommodation costs as these were included in the Scottish Government''s sponsorship package of the Ryder Cup in 2014. Also attended various official engagements in Louisville, Chicago and Kentucky.	Jim Mather	4	£4,787.77
19 September 2008	19 September 2008	Amsterdam	The Minister travelled to Amsterdam to attend the Euro skills competition / Conference - Rotterdam.	Maureen Watt	2	£642.30
24 September 2008	25 September 2008	Brussels	The Solicitor General travelled to Brussels to attend the JHA Council.	Frank Mulholland	3	£771.52
28 September 2008	30 September 2008	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to attend the Agriculture Council.	Richard Lochhead	3	£1,082.05
03 October 2008	04 October 2008	Paris	The Lord Advocate travelled to Paris to attend and speak at the Preliminary meeting concerning the Conference of Public Prosecutors at the Supreme Judicial Courts of the Member States of the European Union	Lord Advocate	1	£1,004.71
06 October 2008	07 October 2008	Brussels	The minister travelled to Brussels to attend meetings with UK Rep''s and MEP''s. The ministers also attended the Celtic Connections Seminar.	Stewart Stevenson	1	£535.77
10 October 2008	06 October 2008	Poona	The Minister travelled to Poona for the Commonwealth Youth Games.	Stewart Maxwell	1	£2,210.52
12 October 2008	17 October 2008	Norway and Russia	The Minister travelled to Norway to attend Ministerial Meetings on Energy and visited Moscow to support Visit Scotland inward mission to Russia and to speak at an international oil and gas forum.	Jim Mather	1	£3,371.16
12 October 2008	14 October 2008	Barcelona	The Minister travelled to Barcelona to attend meetings with Catalan Government Ministers, including Vice President. Also undertook other portfolio related engagements.	Linda Fabiani	3	£701.10
16 October 2008	18 October 2008	Vienna	The Lord Advocate travelled to Vienna to attend the Conference of the Presidents of Supreme Courts, Attorney Generals or Prosecutors General.	Lord Advocate	1	£1,397.42
20 October 2008	20 October 2008	Paris	The Minister travelled to Paris to attend the SIAL Food Fair.	Richard Lochhead	2	£847.80
23 October 2008	24 October 2008	Luxembourg	The Minister travelled to Luxembourg to attend the JHA Council.	Fergus Ewing	1	£674.25
23 October 2008	27 October 2008	New York	The Minister travelled to New York where she undertook Cultural engagements in New York including events associated with the National Theatre''s production of Black Watch.	Linda Fabiani	3	£3,776.33
27 October 2008	27 October 2008	Trier	The Solicitor General travelled to Trier to attend an ERA Meeting.	Frank Mulholland	1	£804.90
27 October 2008	28 October 2008	Luxembourg	The Minister travelled to Luxembourg to attend the Agriculture Council.	Richard Lochhead	3	£853.15
05 November 2008	07 November 2008	Nuremburg	The Minister travelled to Nuremburg to attend the Teaching Remembrance''''.	Maureen Watt	2	£504.07
15 November 2008	17 November 2008	Warsaw	The Minister travelled to Warsaw where she undertook various engagements, included meeting Deputy Polish Cultural Minister; Director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute; Scottish-Polish Association & British Council Poland. Also attended Caledonian Association.	Linda Fabiani	1	£925.43
17 November 2008	18 November 2008	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to attend the Agriculture Council.	Richard Lochhead	3	£1,482.50
07 December 2008	09 December 2008	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to attend meetings with Senior staff in Scotland House; meet with British Council representatives; also hosted a reception marking the opening of an Exhibition.	Linda Fabiani	2	£844.74
07 December 2008	09 December 2008	Poznan	The Minister travelled to Poznan to attend the Climate Change Summit.	Stewart Stevenson	1	£491.00
13 December 2008	15 December 2008	Barcelona	The First Minister travelled to Barcelona to establish links with Catalonia and attend the Commonwealth Games Legacy meeting	First Minister	4	£1,383.05
19 December 2008	19 December 2008	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to attend the Agriculture Council.	Richard Lochhead	3	£957.20
08 January 2009	03 April 2009	Barcelona	The Minister travelled to Paris to attend the European Alcohol Policy Conference.	Kenneth MacAskill	2	£186.42
21 January 2009	22 January 2009	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to speak at the European Parliament Burns Supper.	Michael Russell	1	£762.20
22 January 2009	27 January 2009	Toronto/Digby/Halifax	The Minister travelled to Toronto/Digby/Halifax where he undertook visits in Ontario/Nova Scotia.	Kenneth MacAskill	2	£3,867.01
01 February 2009	03 February 2009	Dublin	The Minister travelled to Dublin for a Housing & Planning Visit.	Stewart Maxwell	2	£605.58
01 February 2009	03 February 2009	Dublin	The Minister travelled to Dublin to attend a meeting with Northern Irish Assembly to discuss affordable housing	Stewart Stevenson	2	£573.40
05 February 2009	06 February 2009	Paris	The Lord Advocate travelled to Paris to attend and speak at the Conference of Public Prosecutors at the Supreme Judicial Courts of the Member States of the European Union	Lord Advocate	2	£996.70
09 February 2009	09 February 2009	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels with the purpose of the visit being to place Scotland at the heart of discussions on the development of renewable energy and carbon capture & storage as part of European Sustainable Energy Week “ the EU''s principal conference	Jim Mather	2	£400.20
22 February 2009	24 February 2009	Washington	The First Minister travelled to the USA to deliver the keynote address to the Burns symposium. The First Minister also attended a meeting with the US Secretary of State and the launch of the US Senate Friends of Scotland Caucus.	First Minister	4	£8,714.17
26 February 2009	27 February 2009	Brussels	The Solicitor General travelled to Brussels to attend the JHA Council.	Frank Mulholland	2	£775.32
01 March 2009	03 March 2009	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to attend various Meetings with EU Commissioners.	Michael Russell	2	£842.94
04 March 2009	08 March 2009	Dubai	The Minister travelled to Dubai to attend the Rugby 7''s World Cup and lobby for the next World Cup to be held in Scotland in 2013. Also fact finding visits to sports facilities as comparator for 2014.	Shona Robison	1	£4,179.11
23 March 2009	24 March 2009	Brussels	The Minister travelled to Brussels to attend the Agriculture Council.	Richard Lochhead	1	£996.27
30 March 2009	31 March 2009	Paris	The Minister travelled to Paris to attend the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Event.	John Swinney	1	£513.27
30 March 2009	31 March 2009	Bonn, Germany	The Minister travelled to Bonn to attend the UN conference on Education for Sustainable Development.	Keith Brown	3	£694.68
Total						£92,138.70

Annex B

Comparison with Previous Years

Year	No of Visits	Cash Terms	Real Terms Based on UK GDP Deflator	Average Cost per Visit (Real Terms)
1999-2000	44	£64,787.64	£80,982.53	£1,841
2000-01	55	£117,288.29	£144,705.67	£2,631
2001-02	64	£107,340.92	£129,540.23	£2,024
2002-03	56	£71,035.92	£83,047.98	£1,483
2003-04	51	£66,659.03	£75,794.55	£1,486
2004-05	62	£100,524.89	£111,209.94	£1,794
2005-06	41	£73, 894.66	£80,251.37	£1,957
2006-07	51	£98,818.64	£104,235.77	£2,044
2007-08	42	£75,535.33	£77,441.16	£1,844
2008-09	59	£92,138.70	£92,138.70	£1,562

Chamber and committees