Chamber and committees

None.

I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

A Building Standards Advisory Committee working party is presently considering improved guidance on airtightness of buildings. Any new guidance, which would be subject to public consultation, is programmed to come into force in May 2007.

I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

The agency has no plans to introduce specific guidance on this subject.

However, current guidance offering ways to comply with the mandatory functional standards in the Scottish Building Standards Technical Handbooks does not prohibit the use of breathing wall constructions. Several proprietary products have been granted a British Board of Agrément (BBA) certificate for use in these constructions, and it is the responsibility of verifiers to assess compliance of this technology against the standards.

The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of forensic pathology as a vital part of the criminal justice system. We propose to fund an on-going training capacity through the creation of dedicated Specialist Registrar posts in forensic pathology. The Justice Department, in conjunction with the Crown Office, the Health Department, NHS Education for Scotland and the profession are currently working on how to establish these new posts.

I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

Where work is the subject of a Certificate of Construction, compliance is certified by the installer through a certification system operated by a Scheme Provider appointed by Scottish ministers.

Where work is not the subject of a Certificate of Construction, it is the duty of the local authority, as verifier, to make reasonable enquiry to determine compliance.

I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

Local authority verifiers are not required to assess the qualification of installers. The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 require that an installation be fit for purpose and meet the requirements of the functional standards. They do not require qualification of persons carrying out electrical work.

Local authority verifiers have been given direction advising them on the extent of inspection of electrical installations that may be appropriate, and evidence of compliance to be requested, where works are not covered by a Certificate of Construction.

No land has been bought for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows: The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced the option of certification and a scheme for the Certification of Construction (Electrical Installations to BS 7671) has been in operation since 1 May 2005. Scottish ministers approved the scheme in December 2004 and the SBSA appointed SELECT (electrical contractors’ association in Scotland) as a scheme provider. Details of the scheme can be found in the Scheme Guide which is available on the SELECT web site at www.select.org.uk.

I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 require that an installation be fit for purpose and meet the requirements of the functional standards. Neither the regulations, nor the Building (Scotland) Act 2003, require qualification of persons carrying out electrical work.

We expect to receive part 1of the final Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance report from Aberdeenshire/AberdeenCity Council shortly. This will put forward a number of options, andrecommendations for taking these forward.